As Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima moves toward a final decision this week on whether to let the state start filling in areas off the coast of Henoko in northern Okinawa Island to build a replacement airstrip for the Futenma base, speculation is growing that he's holding out for the promise of a casino resort.
Nakaima is under intense political pressure to approve the fill project for the long-stalled Henoko base project, even as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tries to induce a positive reply via robust funding for public works projects in Okinawa.
On Tuesday, the Abe administration approved a budget for Diet consideration that would earmark ¥346 billion for Okinawan revitalization in fiscal 2014.