Japan's Defense Minister Kihara Minoru has informed political leaders in Okinawa of the central government's intention to steadily implement the plan concerning the return of land south of Kadena Air Base, including the relocation of the US Futenma Air Station.

Kihara met at a hotel in Naha City on Saturday with mayors of 11 municipalities that host US bases, including the cities of Ginowan, Nago and Naha.

Kihara said reducing Okinawa's burden of hosting US bases is one of the top priorities for Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's administration.

He said the government will advance work to relocate the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station to Henoko in Nago City.

Ginowan Mayor Matsugawa Masanori, whose city hosts the Futenma base, wants the central government to make sure that the US military will not resume flights of Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft without prior explanation.

The US military suspended all Osprey flights following the fatal crash of an aircraft off the coast of Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture last November.

Kihara said he is aware that the US government has instructed its military officials to consult with Japan before it resumes flights of the aircraft. He said ensuring flight safety is the top priority for both countries, and that both sides will closely work together toward that end.

Earlier on Saturday, Kihara boarded a helicopter to inspect the planned relocation site for the Futenma base in Nago.
The central government began construction work last month after overriding the local government's objection to the relocation project, and approving a landfill plan by proxy.

Also on Saturday, Kihara visited the prefectural government's office to meet with Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny.

Tamaki asked that the central government immediately halt the construction work and begin talks with prefectural officials.

The governor said he hopes the central government officials will seriously consider the wishes of Okinawa residents, who demonstrated their objections in past gubernatorial elections and referendum.

Kihara said that having the Futenma base become entrenched in its current location needs to be avoided, as the base is in the middle of a densely populated area, one that is said to be the most dangerous in the world.

The defense minister stressed that the relocation to Henoko is the only viable way to maintain the deterrence capability of the Japan-US alliance, while ensuring the safety of local residents.

Kihara said the government will steadily proceed with the relocation work while giving due consideration to the living environment of local residents.

The two sides failed to narrow differences, but agreed to continue talks.

Meanwhile, Kihara told Governor Tamaki that the central government plans to further examine its plan to prepare a training area for the Ground Self-Defence Force in Uruma City, in light of demands among local residents to drop the project.