Okinawa governor halts work on U.S. military base

NAHA, Japan, March 23 (UPI) -- The governor of the Japanese island chain of Okinawa has ordered a halt to construction of a U.S. Marine base, citing environmental concerns.

Gov. Takeshi Onaga, who was elected December of 2014 on a pledge to block construction by Japan's Defense Ministry, ordered a suspension of the work, saying Monday "It's difficult to dispel concerns that our fisheries' regulations are being violated," a reference to alleged damage done by construction crews to local coral reefs.

The suspension of work on the base comes as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reiterated his belief that a new base at Okinawa is a crucial part of a realignment of U.S. military strength in the Pacific. The United States and Japan agree construction should begin, but Japanese environmental laws require the local governor's consent and polls indicate the majority of Okinawa residents object to another military base on their islands. The stoppage is another strain on the relationship between Tokyo, Washington and Okinawa.

The senior Japanese government spokesman, Chief Cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga, said in Tokyo there was no reason for Onaga's order.

"Following all the relevant laws," Suga said, "we would like the construction to continue."