Leaders of drive for Okinawa independence stand by U.S. base

Leaders of drive for Okinawa independence stand by U.S. base

TOKYO, Japan - Yasukatsu Matsushima (L) and Shinako Oyakawa, founders of a study group over Okinawa's independence from Japan, stand by the U.S. Kadena Air Base in the southernmost Japanese prefecture in this file photo taken on Oct. 13, 2014. (Photo by Toshiki Makino)

(2)Gov't opts for plan to build airport on Okinawa reef

(2)Gov't opts for plan to build airport on Okinawa reef

TOKYO, Japan - Yasukatsu Urasaki (R), mayor of the village of Ginoza, Tateo Kishimoto (2nd from R), mayor of Nago, and Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine (3 from R) attend a meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on Dec. 27 to decide a location for an airport to be built to take over the heliport functions the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa. The participants decided to build the airport, which will also be used for civilian flights, on a reef off Hekono in Nago.

Leaders of drive for Okinawa independence stand by U.S. base

Leaders of drive for Okinawa independence stand by U.S. base

TOKYO, Japan - Yasukatsu Matsushima (L) and Shinako Oyakawa, founders of a study group over Okinawa's independence from Japan, stand by the U.S. Kadena Air Base in the southernmost Japanese prefecture in this file photo taken on Oct. 13, 2014. (Photo by Toshiki Makino) (Kyodo)

(2)Gov't opts for plan to build airport on Okinawa reef

(2)Gov't opts for plan to build airport on Okinawa reef

TOKYO, Japan - Yasukatsu Urasaki (R), mayor of the village of Ginoza, Tateo Kishimoto (2nd from R), mayor of Nago, and Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine (3 from R) attend a meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on Dec. 27 to decide a location for an airport to be built to take over the heliport functions the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa. The participants decided to build the airport, which will also be used for civilian flights, on a reef off Hekono in Nago.