Japan's top court paves way for relocation of US base
Southern Okinawa prefecture had challenged high court's ruling over landfill work for relocation
ANKARA
Japan's Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal against the government's order to advance landfill work for the relocation of a key US base in southern Okinawa prefecture.
The top court, while hearing the appeal filed by Okinawa prefecture, upheld a high court verdict, confirming the state's jurisdiction to direct the local government to approve modifications to the central government's construction plans, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.
The ruling will clear the way for the resumption of the suspended landfill work.
Nonetheless, Okinawa and the central government still remain at odds over the relocation of US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in the residential district of Ginowan to the less densely populated Henoko coastal area in Nago.
In 1996, Japan and the US agreed on a relocation plan aimed at returning the land occupied by the airfield, and in 1999, Tokyo selected Henoko as the relocation site.
Nevertheless, residents of Okinawa, which hosts the majority of US military facilities in Japan, continue to oppose the relocation.
