Key facts
- Okinawa Governor Genta Koja accepted the deployment of U.S. military MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft at Futenma air station.
- Previous prefectural governments had opposed the aircraft due to safety concerns.
- Koja's acceptance aligns with his support for relocating the Futenma base to Henoko.
Okinawa Governor Genta Koja announced Friday that he accepts the deployment of U.S. military MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft at the Futenma air station, reversing the southern Japan prefecture's long-standing opposition. Previous prefectural governments, under governors critical of U.S. bases, had opposed the deployment of the tilt-rotor aircraft since before they were first stationed at the base in 2012, citing safety concerns. Koja assumed the post of Okinawa governor late last month. He stated that considering the Self-Defense Forces operate the aircraft, it is not realistic to call for a retraction of their deployment or use. Koja's acceptance of the Osprey deployment is in line with his support for the plan to relocate the Futenma base in Ginowan to the coastal Henoko area in Nago within Okinawa, which will see the aircraft transferred to Henoko.