Standing Committee on Defense and Security of the Upper House has been held since 10:00 am.
Mr. Sato, LDP says whatever Democratic Party of Japan does in relation to Futenma issue, no actual relocation will be carried out unless approved by the Governor of Okinawa. Even U.S. knows this fact.
The ruling party must seek approval from Governor of Okinawa Pref. when executing relocation of Futenma U.S. Marine Corps Base to Henoko. What's unclear to the Okinawa people is a master plan prepared by U.S. Unless explained to them, they will not understand ur proposal. By the end of Dec., U.S. is expected to submit a master plan, etc. to U.S. Senate, Therefore, the ruling party should consider it and then decide on when to describe environmental assessment to the Okinawa people. Suppose Governor of Okinawa says "Go ahead" without full consensus nurtured among the local population.Nothing will be achieved due to the expected opposition from th e local people and Okinawa Prefectural Council.Those (sided with the ruling party) elected to be members of the Okinawa Prefectural Council were supported and elected b/c of their promise that the ruling party would relocate Futenma base to outside Okinawa.