Thousands rally in Okinawa to oppose US base relocation plan

TOKYO, Mar 17 (Xinhua): Thousands of Okinawa residents in southern Japan rallied on Saturday to oppose a relocation plan of a US air base within the prefecture.

Some 10,000 protesters gathered at a park in the prefectural capital of Naha, demanding the Japanese and US governments halt a plan to move the Futenma base from the Ginowan region to the less densely populated coastal area of Henoko, which is also on the island.

The Okinawans, suffering from crime, pollution and accidents related to the US bases and personnel on the tiny subtropical island, wish to see the Futenma base move outside of Okinawa and Japan altogether.

Last month, more than 70 per cent of local voters rejected the central government's relocation plan in a referendum, but the Japanese government decided to continue with the replacement construction.