Leaders and peace activists in Okinawa Prefecture, where the dispute over the relocation of the Futenma air station has dragged on for years, reacted coolly Monday to the appointment of security analyst Satoshi Morimoto as the new defense minister.
Within the Defense Ministry, the appointment of Morimoto, a professor in Takushoku University's graduate school, drew mixed reactions, with some hopeful he will be able capitalize on his wide network of contacts and others skeptical that he can exercise leadership in the Diet as a nonpolitician.
"We will not tolerate the relocation (of Futenma) to Henoko, Nago, whoever the new minister is or even if he is not a Diet member," said Nago Municipal Assembly member Yoshitami Oshiro, referring to the government's plan to move the U.S. base from a densely populated area in Ginowan.