Work On New Okinawa Base Enters New Phase

Land reclamation work to build a new U.S. airbase in Okinawa, Japan, has begun, reports Japan's Kyodo news agency. 

Work to fill about 388 acres (157 hectares) in Henoko bay at the future site began on Friday in the Henoko district. 

The new site will also feature an offshore V-shaped runway. 

The base will replace U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which is located in a heavily populated area near Ginowan. 

The Japanese and U.S. governments agreed to move the base in 1996 but progress has been slow and subject to stiff opposition. 

The governor of Okinawa opposes the move.

After the Okinawan government lost a court battle in April 2016, initial work began in April 2017.