16:33 JST, September 5, 2026

Half a century has passed since control of Okinawa was returned to Japan, and the economic gap between the prefecture and the mainland has narrowed. However, due to the burden of hosting U.S. military bases, the standard of living for Okinawa residents cannot be said to be at a high level compared to those in the other prefectures.

It is important for the central government to provide support based on the prefecture’s needs and promote economic growth there to help it become more self-sufficient.

In its budget requests for fiscal 2027, the Cabinet Office sought ¥289.7 billion for the promotion of Okinawa Prefecture, an increase of ¥6.8 billion from the current fiscal year.

The annual budget for Okinawa promotion was once between ¥300 billion and ¥400 billion. Funding had progressively declined since the governorship of Takeshi Onaga, who opposed the relocation of the U.S. Futenma Air Station in Ginowan to the Henoko........

© The Japan News