Henoko, relocation site of U.S. Marine air base in Okinawa

Henoko, relocation site of U.S. Marine air base in Okinawa

FUKUOKA, Japan - Japan and the United States face stiff opposition to their plans to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' air station in Futenma, Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan, to the Heneko area shown in this file photo taken in January 2014. Okinawa marked the 42nd anniversary of its return to Japan from U.S. rule on May 15, 2014.

U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air base in Okinawa

U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air base in Okinawa

FUKUOKA, Japan - Japan and the United States face stiff opposition to their plans to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' air station in Futenma, Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan, shown in this file photo taken in January 2014, to the Heneko area in the northwest. Okinawa marked the 42nd anniversary of its return to Japan from U.S. rule on May 15, 2014.

Japanese group to sue Pentagon with dugongs

Japanese group to sue Pentagon with dugongs

NAHA, Japan - Takaaki Kagohashi, one of lawyers, who lead a group of environmentalists, tells an international symposium on protection of dugongs in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, on Dec. 2, that the group is planning to sue the U.S. Defense Department with dugongs and other rare animals living in and around the Heneko district of the southernmost island prefecture's city of Nago, the planned offshore construction site of a new civilian-military airport.

Nago assembly meets amid base relocation debate

Nago assembly meets amid base relocation debate

NAGO, Japan - Tateo Kishimoto, mayor of the city of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, speaks at the beginning of a city assembly meeting that opened Dec. 7. Earlier in the day, Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine said he hopes Nago's municipal assembly will approve a bill to allow a relocation of the heliport functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station to Nago's Heneko district. Kishimoto has said he will authorize the relocation if the asssembly passes the bill.

Nago mayor to announce decision on Futemma base's relocation

Nago mayor to announce decision on Futemma base's relocation

NAGO, Japan - Nago Mayor Tateo Kishimoto (L) is set to announce on Dec. 27 the Okinawa Prefecture city will accept a proposal to relocate the Futemma U.S. Marines base's heliport functions to an airport to be built in the Heneko district of the northern Okinawa Prefecture city. Kishimoto shakes hands with Chief Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki (R), who visited the city to explain the central government's position in the issue, at a Nago hotel on Dec. 26.

Nago assembly meets amid base relocation debate

Nago assembly meets amid base relocation debate

NAGO, Japan - Tateo Kishimoto, mayor of the city of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, speaks at the beginning of a city assembly meeting that opened Dec. 7. Earlier in the day, Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine said he hopes Nago's municipal assembly will approve a bill to allow a relocation of the heliport functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station to Nago's Heneko district. Kishimoto has said he will authorize the relocation if the asssembly passes the bill.