To use this site, please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page.
This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content, and analyzing our website traffic. By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies.
Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki on Wednesday decided to not comply with the instruction of Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Tetsuo Saito to approve proposed design changes to construction work related to the planned relocating of U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture to the Henoko district in Nago.
The minister set the approval deadline for Wednesday, but Tamaki said it was not possible to decide whether to approve by that deadline.
The government plans to start the process of issuing approval on behalf of the governor on Thursday at the earliest.
Under a Supreme Court ruling in September, the Okinawa prefectural government is legally obligated to approve the proposed design changes, and the land ministry has issued recommendations and instructions to Tamaki for approval.
It is highly unusual for the head of a local government to refuse to accept a final judicial decision.
