The government has filed a strong protest with U.S. forces based in Okinawa Prefecture for dumping treated water containing dangerous chemicals into the local sewage system.
"It is extremely regrettable that (U.S. Marines) unilaterally dumped the water despite discussions still taking place between Japan and the United States on how to deal with the water," Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said at a news conference Friday.
Referring to an incident Thursday involving the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said separately that he has asked the U.S. Marines to stop any future dumping of contaminated water.