A truce of sorts was declared in the simmering issue of building the relocation facility for MCAS Futenma in Henoko, as the central government ordered a one-month long suspension of all construction work at the relocation site off Camp Schwab. The suspension started Monday, Aug. 10.

The national and prefectural governments intend to use the moratorium period to conduct intensive negotiations on the thorny issue. The suspension is scheduled to last through Sep. 9th, during which all construction related to the landfill off the coast of Henoko will be stopped.

Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga and Deputy Governor Mitsuo Ageda are reportedly aiming to meet Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga from the national government five times during the suspension period. The first meting is today (Aug. 11)

This is the first time that both governments have serious talks about the MCCS Futenma relocation issue. Suga comes to Okinawa today for the first meeting with Onaga and Ageda in the prefectural government office. At the meeting, Onaga is believed to demand the government retract the relocation plan explaining the history of U.S. military bases on Okinawa, while the Japanese Government will ask for understanding of the relocation issue.

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