As part of a court-mediated settlement process, the central and Okinawa prefectural governments will kick off talks March 23 over the planned relocation of U.S. Marine Corps’ Air Station Futenma, Gov. Takeshi Onaga said Monday.
Earlier this month, the two sides accepted the settlement proposed by a Fukuoka High Court branch to halt work related to the transfer to the Henoko coastal district of Nago under a central government plan that led to the legal battle.
It is unclear, however, if the new round of talks will enable the two sides to bridge their differences. Okinawa has demanded the base be moved outside the prefecture while the central government views the existing plan as the only realistic option.