The government has finalized its fiscal 2025 budget request, with the Okinawa promotion budget set at ¥282 billion, a decrease of ¥10 billion compared to the fiscal 2024 budget request, according to government sources.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that the budget request has fallen below ¥300 billion. Many believe this trend is connected to Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki’s opposition to a government-backed plan that aims to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station from Ginowan to the Henoko coastal district in Nago, both located in Okinawa prefecture.
In preparation for the utilization of the former military site after its return, a total of ¥6.8 billion will be newly allocated for a project supporting local governments in acquiring land. Additionally, ¥3.1 billion will be included for a project aimed at reducing transportation costs for residents living on remote islands. Furthermore, an additional ¥100 million will be allocated for an underwater exploration project related to the Tsushima-maru incident during World War II. The Tsushima-maru was an evacuation ship carrying schoolchildren that was sunk by a U.S. submarine in August 1944.
Earlier this month, the Okinawa prefectural government had requested that the central government set their budget request within the range of ¥300 billion.
These adjustments reflect ongoing discussions and negotiations between different levels of government regarding funding priorities and allocations for various projects and initiatives in Okinawa prefecture.