Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa met with Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima in Naha on Monday and told him that Tokyo plans to submit to him by the end of this year a report of environmental impact assessment for relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from the densely populated Ginowan to the less populated Henoko district in Nago, both on Okinawa Island.
The central government is faithfully following the intention of the United States over the Futenma issue. Clearly Mr. Ichikawa acted in anticipation of a request that is expected to be made to him by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in a meeting Oct. 25.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said on Monday that there is a need to attain a "solid conclusion" on the issue in accordance with a Japan-U.S. agreement. But he should realize that Okinawan people's opposition to the Henoko plan is so strong that there is little possibility that it will proceed smoothly. If the construction of the new air station is forcefully carried out, bloodshed may happen.