Most voters in the Okinawa referendum opposed plans to relocate U.S. military bases on the southern island of Japan, but the central government said Monday that it intended to continue its construction plan.
In Sunday's non-binding referendum, more than 70% of voters opposed the resettlement of the U.S. Marine Corps'Futenma Air Force Base in Okinawa, with a 53% turnout. Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki was elected on the platform in September.
Okinawa hosts most of Japan's U.S. forces, and its alliance with Washington is crucial to its security. Many Okinawa residents associate bases with crime, pollution and accidents.
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