Social Democrats say no to modified base plan

April 28, 2010
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Japan's Social Democratic Party says it will not accept a government idea to relocate the US Futenma Air Station within Okinawa by modifying an existing plan agreed by the 2 countries' former governments.

The junior coalition party leaders confirmed on Wednesday that the idea under consideration to relocate the base by building a runway off US Camp Schwab in Nago, also in Okinawa, is unacceptable.

One participant said the frustration and anger of the people of Okinawa is at its peak, as evidenced by the huge rally on Sunday demanding that the functions of the air station be moved out of Japan or outside of the prefecture.

Another said their party must try to fully realize the wishes of the people of Okinawa that were presented at the rally.

Party Secretary General Yasumasa Shigeno told reporters after the meeting that the party will reject the government's idea and insist on relocation out of Japan or Okinawa to ease the burden on local residents.

Party leader Mizuho Fukushima, a cabinet minister, has said the Futenma base should be relocated outside Japan such as to the Northern Mariana Islands' Tinian Island, which has shown a willingness to accept it.

2010/04/28 14:06(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)