# Okinawa Policy Council meets after 13-year gap

> Japan's government holds Okinawa Policy Council meeting for first time in 13 years to address U.S. military bases and economic development.
- Title: Okinawa Policy Council meets after 13-year gap | Shortify
- Summary: Japan's government holds Okinawa Policy Council meeting for first time in 13 years to address U.S. military bases and economic development.
- Keywords: okinawa policy council, okinawa gov. genta koja, sanae takaichi, u.s. military bases, japan-u.s. status of forces agreement, futenma air station, The Japan Times
- Source: The Japan Times — https://japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/11/06/japan/politics/okinawa-policy-council-meeting
- Author: No Author
- Published: 2026-11-06T08:38:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: okinawa policy council, okinawa gov. genta koja, sanae takaichi, u.s. military bases, japan-u.s. status of forces agreement, futenma air station, news, politics, world
## First Okinawa Policy Council meeting
Japan's central government held the Okinawa Policy Council meeting for the first time in 13 years to discuss U.S. military bases and economic development measures.
## Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Cabinet ministers and Okinawa Gov. Genta Koja attended the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo.
## Takaichi's economic development focus
Takaichi said she will work with Okinawa Prefecture to address regional development measures and reduce the base-hosting burden.
## Takaichi's military safety pledge
Takaichi pledged to prevent further U.S. military incidents in Okinawa Prefecture through stronger oversight.
## Koja's economic development push
Okinawa Gov. Genta Koja urged sufficient state funding to build a strong Okinawan economy and reduce U.S. base hosting burden.
## Koja's Futenma air station request
Koja demanded a clear timeline for the return of the U.S. Futenma air station site in Ginowan city under the Japan-U.S. status of forces agreement.
## Budget request for Okinawa
The Cabinet Office requested ¥289.7 billion for Okinawa economic development measures, below the prefecture’s ¥300 billion request for the sixth consecutive year.
## Key takeaway

Japan's government held its first Okinawa Policy Council meeting in 13 years to reduce U.S. military base hosting burden and boost economic development.