Assembly opposes Futenma base move

NAHA--The Okinawa prefectural assembly on Friday adopted a resolution and statement against the planned relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture.

However, as the documents are not legally binding, Governor Hirokazu Nakaima is expected to go ahead with the plan to relocate the base facilities to Henoko point offshore of Nago in the prefecture.

The documents were passed by the Social Democratic Party and other opposition parties, which together now form a majority in the assembly after an election in June.(IHT/Asahi: July 19,2008)