MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The governor added that he would look at every legal measure possible to obstruct construction work in Nago.
In 2006, Tokyo and Washington formally agreed to relocate the Futenma Air Station within Okinawa Prefecture from the city of Ginowan to the less populated Henoko coastal area in Nago city. The move triggered a wave of protests with people citing environmental concerns and opposition to the US military presence.
"It's not easy for the Coast Guard and riot squads to stop [anti-base protesters]. I'd like to tell America that [we] will never let them build [the base]," Onaga said during a news conference, as quoted by the Japan Times.
In April, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and his US counterpart Ashton Carter reconfirmed the relocation plan. Later that month, Onaga asked Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to stop the relocation of the US military base within the prefecture and convey to the US president the Okinawan people's opposition over the plan.
