Tokyo will proceed with its controversial plan to expand the US military presence in the city of Nago on the southwestern island of Okinawa, despite residents overwhelmingly voting against it.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that he will take the results of the vote “very seriously” and work to “reduce” the base-hosting burdens on the locals but the government will continue on with the project anyway.
“We can’t postpone it any longer,” he stressed.
The same message was conveyed by Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya who promised to continue explaining the need for the base to the locals “in a polite and cordial manner,” all while the government “advances” with the construction works.
