The new governor of Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture has announced a referendum on the relocation of a US military base on February 24, local media reported on Tuesday.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 27th November, 2018) The new governor of Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture has announced a referendum on the relocation of a US military base on February 24, local media reported on Tuesday.Gov. Denny Tamaki told reporters the vote would be an important opportunity for Okinawans to make their concerns heard in Tokyo, according to the NHK broadcaster.
He reportedly urged residents of the island, which hosts about a half of US military contingent in Japan, to come out in force against Tokyo's decision to move the Futenma air station to a less densely populated area.
Okinawans have been calling for years to shut the base over military aircraft mishaps, crimes committed by its personnel and damage to the island's unique ecosystem.
