Most of the additional cost and time is required to stabilize and strengthen reclaimed land off the coast of Henoko that will be used for runways, the ministry said. Denny Tamaki, oppose the relocation, saying the base should be entirely removed from the island. The heavy U.S. military presence on Okinawa has been a source of a long-running conflict between the island and Washington and Tokyo. Opponents also say the relocation plan should be scrapped for environmental reasons because the site is a habitat for dugongs and corals. The plan requires 1,800-meter (5,900-foot) runways in a V configuration on reclaimed land in Henoko Bay near the U.S. military’s Camp Schwab.

Source: thestar December 25, 2019 13:13 UTC