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The people of Okinawa, in southern Japan, are due to vote on Sunday, February 24 on the construction of a new American base on the island. A subject that has been gripping local people for years.
According to the polls, the people of Okinawa are largely in favor of the departure of the American military. They are 68% to speak against the US military presence on the island. But this is not what the Japanese authorities are proposing. The object of this Sunday's referendum is the construction of a new base to replace the current one.
Located in Ginowan, an urban area of Okinawa, the Futenma base has long been a source of tension. Residents complain of permanent loud noises, sometimes accompanied by incidents, crimes or misdemeanors caused by soldiers or employees at the base.
In order to resolve these tensions, Japan negotiated in 1996 with the US part the displacement of this base towards the less populated littoral area of Henoko. But the project is controversial. The governor of the island, elected in September thanks to his opposition to this move, shouts environmental scandal. The construction of a new base would endanger marine wildlife and protected species.
Residents opposed to the move would like the base to leave the Okinawa region completely, arguing that it bears a disproportionate share of the US military burden. The island represents less than 1% of Japan's total area, but hosts more than half of the approximately 47,000 US servicemen stationed in the country.
A triumph of the "no" is expected, but the referendum is only a symbolic consultation. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has already indicated that he will not take the result into account and that the move will take place, whatever the cost.