Residents of Ginowan City in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture have renewed calls for the return of the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, urging the Japanese and United States governments to announce a clear timetable for transferring the military facility.
The appeal came during a public rally held on Sunday, where local officials, business organizations, and community members gathered to express concerns about the continued operation of the air base.
According to local reports, around 1,000 people attended the event in Ginowan. The rally was organized by the city assembly together with local business groups, highlighting broad community support for setting a firm deadline for the base’s return.
At the event, participants released a joint statement saying residents have lived with the effects of the military base for decades. They pointed to concerns over aircraft noise, safety risks, and the possibility of aviation accidents.
The statement said the community has shown patience for many years but believes it is now time for clear action. Residents called for the prompt return of the Futenma facility and asked both governments to announce a specific schedule for completing the transfer.
Ginowan Mayor Atsushi Sakima said three decades have passed since Japan and the United States first agreed to return the air station.
He noted that if progress continues at the current pace, the facility could remain in operation even after 40 years have passed since the original agreement.
City officials also announced plans to submit their requests directly to Japan’s Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Defense, and the US Embassy in Japan.
The issue has remained unresolved since 1996, when Japan and the United States agreed that the Futenma Air Station would eventually be returned.
To make that possible, the Japanese government approved a plan to relocate the base to the Henoko area of Nago City. Construction of the replacement facility has included large-scale land reclamation work along Okinawa’s coast.
However, the relocation project has taken much longer than originally expected, and the return of Futenma has not yet been completed.
The delay has continued to generate debate among local communities, national officials, and policymakers.
Many Okinawa residents have long expressed concerns about the concentration of US military facilities within the prefecture. Okinawa hosts a large share of US military bases in Japan, making the issue especially important for local communities.
Residents have frequently raised concerns about aircraft noise affecting nearby neighborhoods, safety around military flight operations, and incidents involving US military personnel.
Community groups have also argued that the long-term presence of military installations places a greater burden on Okinawa than on other parts of Japan.
Supporters of the relocation plan say moving the base away from densely populated Ginowan could reduce safety risks for nearby residents. Others continue to oppose the construction of a replacement facility in Henoko and have called for a different solution.
The issue remains one of the most sensitive topics in Japan-US security relations and has been the subject of political discussions for many years.
Despite continued negotiations and ongoing construction work, no final date has been announced for completing the relocation or returning the existing Futenma base.
The latest rally reflects continued public interest in resolving the long-running issue. Local leaders say establishing a clear timetable would provide greater certainty for residents and demonstrate progress on commitments made decades ago.
As discussions continue between Japanese and US authorities, many people in Okinawa are waiting for concrete steps toward completing the planned transfer and addressing the concerns that have shaped community debate for many years.
