Meanwhile, the local residents protest against resumption of the construction works. The local authorities have decided to mobilize approximately five hundred riot policemen near the Northern Training Area.
Construction materials and equipment are being brought to the site, what might aggravate relations between the federal government and local resident of Okinawa. As a reference, the area hosts the bulk of U.S. military facilities in the country.
20 years ago, the USA agreed to return to Japan about 4,000 hectares in the villages of Kunigami and Higashi in exchange for relocating helipads on the land to be returned to the remaining part of the area. Two of 6 helipads have already been built.