Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, Aug. 20 (Jiji Press) — Japan’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday began the first comprehensive work to relocate a U.S. base on the Oura Bay side of the Henoko coastal region in Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture.

The work, which involves building sea walls on the soft-soil side of Oura Bay, is part of a project to build a replacement facility for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Base in Ginowan City, Okinawa. The ministry plans to fill the area surrounded by the sea walls with soil.

Meanwhile, the Okinawa prefectural government is demanding a halt to work in Oura Bay, arguing that the ministry has not yet completed its previous consultations with the prefecture.

On Tuesday, metal piles were driven into the seabed as protesters gathered around the accident site.

“It is extremely regrettable that (the ministry) unilaterally started construction without completing talks,” Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki told reporters in Ginowan, indicating that the Okinawa government would submit a written request to continue talks.

(Copyright: The Jiji Press, Ltd.)