Japan v. Okinawa?

Opposition between Shinzo Abe administration and Okinawa looks like going beyond the point of no return. Governor of Okinawa, Takeshi Onaga, on Monday ordered Okinawa Defense Bureau to stop all the activity for relocating U.S. Futenma Marine Base in Henoko coastal area within seven days. The government of Japan has shown no attitude to abide by the order and is considering a lawsuit against the Government of Okinawa. If this issue proceeds to that stage, final solution will not be brought in Okinawa.

In the press conference soon after delivering the order, Onaga revealed his intention to dismiss the permission for destruction of rocks in seabed, issued by former pro-Tokyo governor Hirokazu Nakaima last August, if Tokyo government does not follow his order. In the permission, the national government agreed to follow demands of Okinawa government and acknowledged the possibility of abolishing the allowance, in case the construction violates registered activities.

After Onaga took seat in, the government of Okinawa investigated the situation of seabed and reconfirmed that coral reef in Henoko was broken by concrete blocks sunken in the construction. “This is the second time that I ordered the bureau to stop the construction, and more important than last one. I have made up my mind. I will proceed to this process without hesitation,” told Onaga in the press conference.

Not understanding the strong sentiment of Okinawa against Tokyo, Abe’s staffs responded excitedly. Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, reiterated that Japan was a nation with rule of law. “We have consulted with Okinawa side. There will be no change in the construction process operated under the laws,” told Suga in his press conference.

The government of Okinawa is reaching a conclusion that this issue cannot be solved without judicial struggle. It is possible for Tokyo government will raise a lawsuit to dispute Okinawa’s order, as the Okinawa side already predicts, making final solution more difficult than ever.

If the judicial branch decides that Tokyo has power to continue the construction for security needs, Okinawa will still be against Japanese government, because they have already suffer from heavy burden of military base for many years. Even if the judicial branch of Japan decides that Okinawa has a good reason to oppose, Tokyo government will not turn down the relocation plan. There is no viable solution in this issue until Abe administration stops oppressive policy enforcement on Okinawa and resumes normal communication with the governor.