Japan PM vows effort to reduce Okinawa base burden in first meeting in 13 years

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Nov 6 vowed to work to reduce the burden of US military bases in Okinawa Prefecture during the first meeting in 13 years between the central and local governments under a policy framework.



Speaking at a meeting of the Okinawa Policy Council with recently elected Okinawa Governor Genta Koja at the prime minister's office, Takaichi also instructed relevant Cabinet ministers to consider measures to support the prefecture when compiling the fiscal 2027 budget.



The meeting was held amid discussions over the southern island prefecture's development budget and a long-running controversial plan to relocate US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within Okinawa, as well as local anger following a recent alleged murder and robbery of a woman living in the prefecture by a US serviceman.



Takaichi said the government will "make every effort to achieve visible results in reducing the burden of US military bases in Okinawa".