Naha, Okinawa Pref., Sept. 25 (Jiji Press)–Incoming Okinawa Governor Genta Koja has called on the Japanese government to resume the Okinawa Policy Council by year-end to discuss U.S. military base issues and economic development measures between the central and prefectural governments. He made the request in a meeting in Naha, the prefectural capital, Thursday with Yasuhiro Hanashi, minister for Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs. Hanashi said he wanted Koja to work out the details of the prefectural government’s requests and bring them to the central government, indicating his willingness to consider the request. Koja, a conservative candidate, won the gubernatorial election on Sept. 13 and is set to become Okinawa’s new governor Wednesday. The Okinawa Policy Council has not been held since 2013, when conservative governor Hirokazu Nakaima was in office. Koja also said he wants to submit a request for the central government’s Okinawa promotion funds soon after taking office and plans to lobby for an increase in the central government’s fiscal 2027 budget to be compiled at the end of this year. Hanashi visited Okinawa for the first time since taking office in the cabinet reshuffle carried out by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Sept. 17. He also met with outgoing Governor Denny Tamaki. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
