In a surprise move, the central government said Tuesday it will suspend for one month all ongoing construction work related to building a replacement facility for U.S. Marines Air Station Futenma.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the central government will conduct "intensive talks" with Okinawa during the month to exchange views on the controversial relocation project in Nago on the northern part of Okinawa Island.
The moratorium will run from next Monday to Sept. 9.