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Tokyo, Okinawa Gov'ts Agree to Start Talks on US Base Relocation – Reports

© AP Photo / Eugene HoshikoMV-22 Ospreys are seen at the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station and the surrounding area from an observation deck at a park in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture on southern Japan
MV-22 Ospreys are seen at the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station and the surrounding area from an observation deck at a park in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture on southern Japan - Sputnik International
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Japanese government and authorities of the southwestern prefecture of Okinawa have agreed to begin month-long talks regarding the relocation of US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, based in the southern part of Okinawa island, the NHK broadcaster reported Tuesday.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga stressed during talks with Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki that Japan's central government still intended to continue to push for relocating the base to Okinawa’s coastal area, the NHK broadcaster stated.

In addition, Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said that he planned to visit Okinawa soon for the US base-related talks with Governor Tamaki, NHK stated. The visit may take place later this week, according to the defense ministry sources.

READ MORE: Okinawa Governor May Take on US Base Via Gov't Dispute Mgmt. Council — Reports

By relocating the base, Tokyo wanted to remove dangers from the densely populated Futenma base, among other reasons, Iwaya said as quoted by the local broadcaster.

A soldier from Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force helps to prepare surface-to-ship missile launchers at Camp Naha in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture (File) - Sputnik International
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Earlier in the day, the agreement to initiate talks on the US base relocation was reached by Yoshihide Suga and Denny Tamaki, according to the NHK.

Prior to reaching the deal, the Okinawa authorities decided to revoke the permit for a landfill reclamation project in August that was being carried out off the coast of the city of Nago. The project, which was supposed to see Futenma base relocated from the island's Ginowan city to the northern coastal area, had started in mid-2017 but was met with protests from locals, who were against the deployment of US troops and equipment in the area, citing abuses by US personnel and various accidents during military training.

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