Reclamation Work for US Base Prompts Protests in Japan

Defense authorities in Japan have started maritime reclamation work in Okinawa in order to relocate a US air base, prompting protests from local residents. 
Preparations to drop concrete blocks into the sea began off the Henoko area of Nago city in the southern prefecture on Monday morning. Workers were seen moving blocks from barges on to crane vessels, Japan's broadcaster (NHK World) reported. 
The materials are designed to weigh down silt fences to prevent the spread of muddy water out at sea. More than 220 blocks, which weigh up to 14 tons each, are to be used for the barriers in 4 places. 
After the fences are installed, the Okinawa Defense Bureau plans to build seawalls around the reclamation site before filling it with earth and sand. 
The central government plans to build a new facility in the area to replace the US Marine Corps Futenma air station currently located in a densely populated area of Ginowan. 
The start of full-scale maritime work has drawn criticism from local governments and other opponents. 
About 100 people gathered and shouted protests outside nearby US Camp Schwab. 
Speaking on Sunday night, just before the reclamation work began, Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga said that the prefecture would not allow the work to start until its consultations with central government were complete. 
The governor expressed regret that the new US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis had agreed with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that Henoko is the only solution for the Futenma relocation.

Source: QNA