Friday, Feb. 6, 1998Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and members of his Cabinet expressed disappointment and anger Friday over Okinawa Gov. Masahide Ota's decision to officially reject the government's plan to construct a sea-based heliport off Nago.
The planned facility was intended to take over the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station, but Ota's announcement has thrown the entire project into question.
Hashimoto indicated to reporters at the Prime Minister's Official Residence that the plan to return the Futenma airfield to the prefecture will be frozen, at least for the time being.
"Problems related to the presence of U.S. military bases in Okinawa will remain as they are," Hashimoto said. "The governments of Japan and the U.S. launched the relocation plan in reply to a request from Ota (to return the Futenma site to the city of Ginowan).
"I have nothing any more to say," he added.
Muneo Suzuki, head of the Okinawa Development Agency, said he had hoped Ota would make "a wise decision" and take into consideration broader national interests. Suzuki went on to say Ota's refusal will lead to the central government shelving a planned economic development plan for the prefecture, which included tax incentives to attract trade and investment and a number of public works projects.
"Matters related to the U.S. military presence in Okinawa and economic measures designed for Okinawa are closely linked," Suzuki told reporters. "The refusal has made the government unable to realize the economic steps."
Defense Agency chief Fumio Kyuma, who heads the central government's special task force to relocate the Futenma Air Station, said he was shocked by Ota's decision. "Frankly, I have to ask why (the governor) had to express (his position) immediately before the (Nago) mayoral election," he told reporters at the agency's headquarters in Tokyo. The key issue in Sunday's election in Nago is the offshore heliport.
Kyuma also criticized Ota for having no respect for all the efforts the central and prefectural governments have made to realign and reduce U.S. bases in Okinawa since Tokyo and Washington outlined measures by the Special Action Committee on Okinawa. "I'm concerned that (his refusal) may (negatively) affect the other items of the SACO agreement (to realign and reduce U.S. bases in Okinawa,)" Kyuma said.
Citing the international military situation and U.S. military strategy, Kyuma reiterated that Futenma Air Station cannot be removed without an alternative facility being made available. Several key members of Hashimoto's Liberal Democratic Party also roundly criticized Ota for his decision.
"Ota has ruined massive efforts by the Japanese and U.S. governments, as well as by local municipalities and lawmakers of both the ruling bloc and the opposition camp," LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato said. "I wonder whether Ota recognizes that keeping Futenma base in the central part of the city of Ginowan will continue to hinder economic development, not only of Ginowan, but also of the whole prefecture," he added.
Hiromu Nonaka, senior deputy secretary general of the party, said Ota has spoiled efforts by Hashimoto, who has met with the governor as many as 20 times over the past two years to discuss the issue. Nonaka also said the Social Democratic Party's actions in relation to the matter pose a threat to the unity of the ruling alliance, made up of the LDP, SDP and New Party Sakigake.
SDP leader Takako Doi flew to Nago last Sunday to deliver a speech to support Yoshikazu Tamaki, a candidate in the Nago mayoral election and the chief opponent of the heliport. "The policy difference between our party and the SDP may lead to the breakup of the alliance," said Masakuni Murakami, leader of LDP Upper House members.
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