(VOVworld) - Japan's Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the government's plan to relocate a US Marine airbase on Okinawa, despite demands by local citizens that the base leave the island.

The replacement base for US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma is planned for this area in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture (Photo: VNA)

The Supreme Court said Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga acted illegally when he revoked an October 2015 order by his predecessor for landfill work that would clear the way for relocation of the base. Mr. Onaga said he’ll quickly reverse his action and find another way to prevent the US from building a new air base in Japan.