Okinawa's busy political year set to have major impact on national security
Voters in Nago go to the polls Jan. 23 to choose a mayor in the first of a series of elections that could shape the prefecture's relationship with Tokyo.
Despite the race's importance as the first in a series of major elections in Okinawa, the resurgence has kept officials of national political parties on the sidelines.
Three years on, 30% of Okinawa landfill completed for transfer of U.S. Futenma base
The central government is threatening to scale down the budget for economic revitalization in the prefecture for fiscal 2022 in hopes of silencing Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki.
Japanese government counters Okinawa's rejection of Henoko design changes
A court battle between the central and the Okinawa governments is likely to start if the prefecture's rejection of the design change application is invalidated.
Okinawa development budget to be smallest in a decade as base row persists
Government officials have suggested that the real reason behind the cut is related to the prefectural government's stiff opposition to relocating a key U.S. air base within the prefecture.
Futenma replacement base will be obsolete before it's finished
The base's design was so politically constrained to mitigate local opposition that the design constraints will severely limit its flexibility to meet military needs.
Japan aware of sinking ground ahead of U.S. base landfill work in Okinawa
The central government was aware of the weak seabed at the planned Futenma relocation site in 2015, three years before work got underway.
Okinawa governor refuses to approve change to U.S. base transfer plan
The central government is expected to take immediate countermeasures, with a court fight likely to ensue.
Okinawa and the central government remain apart over U.S. base relocation plan
In his first meeting with Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki demanded an immediate halt to the work to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
Japan to 'proceed steadily' with Futenma relocation within Okinawa, top government spokesman says
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno made the remarks at a meeting in the prefecture with local officials, including Nago Mayor Taketoyo Toguchi.
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki at crossroads as support base falters
Tamaki is facing a crucial moment ahead of the next gubernatorial election scheduled for fall 2022, after his support base — made up both conservatives and reformists — collapsed.
Japan to dispose of contaminated water at U.S. base in Okinawa
Japan's Defense Ministry will shoulder the estimated ¥92 million cost of disposing of the water containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a toxic substance known as PFOS.
