Q&A: Why is the U.S. air base relocation in Okinawa so contentious?

The following are questions and answers regarding the planned relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture.Q: What is the relocation plan?A: The Japanese and U.S. governments agreed in 1996 that the land used for the Futenma base will be returned to Japan as part of efforts to reduce the heavy U.S. military presence in Okinawa. In 1999, the Japanese government decided at a Cabinet meeting to build a replacement facility in the Henoko area in Nago, also in Okinawa.Q: What served as the impetus for reaching an agreement?A: In 1995, three U.S. servicemen r…READ FULL ARTICLE