Aug 31 12:48 AM US/Eastern
TOKYO, Aug. 31 (AP) - (Kyodo)—The following is a chronology of major events related to the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture.
Sept. 1995 -- 3 U.S. servicemen rape local schoolgirl in Okinawa, fueling anger among local residents.
April 1996 -- Japan, U.S. agree on return of Futenma base within 5 to 7 years.
Dec. 1996 -- Japan, U.S. agree to build heliport off east coast of main Okinawa Island, move Futenma's heliport functions. Sea off Nago's Henoko district near U.S. Marine Corps Camp Schwab considered as possible relocation site.
Dec. 1997 -- Majority of Nago residents vote against relocation plan in referendum. But then Mayor Tetsuya Higa says city would accept it, offers to resign.
Dec. 1999 -- Japanese government endorses plan to move Futenma to coastal area of Henoko, after Nago announces city would accept military facility on several conditions, such as limiting its use to 15 years.
July 2002 -- Central government agrees with Okinawa prefectural government, local municipalities on basic construction plan to reclaim land off Henoko to build runway.
Aug. 2004 -- Marine helicopter crashes in Okinawa International University in Ginowan.
April 2006 -- Tokyo agrees with Nago to construct 2 runways in V-shape formation on Camp Schwab's shores.
May 2006 -- Japan, U.S. agree on road map for realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, featuring plan to build V-shaped runways in coastal area of Camp Schwab, move Futenma, transfer 8,000 Okinawa-based Marines to Guam, both by 2014.
Dec. 2006 -- Hirokazu Nakaima assumes Okinawa governorship, demands runways be built further offshore than planned.
July 2008 -- Democratic Party of Japan unveils "Okinawa Vision 2008," seeking to move Futenma functions out of Okinawa, eventually outside Japan.
2009
Sept. 16 -- DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama becomes prime minister, launches 3-party coalition government.
Sept. 25 -- Hatoyama shows willingness to move Futenma out of Okinawa.
2010
Jan. 24 -- Susumu Inamine, who opposes Futenma relocation to Nago, wins mayoral election.
April 12 -- Hatoyama meets with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington, promises conclusion of Futenma issue by end of May.
April 25 -- About 90,000 people rally in Okinawa, calling for Futenma to be moved out of Okinawa.
May 23 -- Hatoyama notifies Nakaima of state's plan to move Futenma to area near Henoko district in Nago, offers apology for giving up on earlier vow to move Futenma out of prefecture.
May 28 -- Japan, U.S. reach fresh accord on Futenma relocation, which is effectively on par with existing plan under 2006 Japan-U.S. accord.
June 2 -- Hatoyama offers to resign following departure of Social Democratic Party from ruling coalition in opposing accord with U.S. on Futenma relocation.
June 8 -- The Cabinet of new Prime Minister Naoto Kan is launched.
Aug. 31 -- Japan, U.S. agree on technical details such as location and construction methods for Futenma replacement facility.
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