OKINAWA, Japan 25 Feb (ANA) - Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said plans to relocate a US military base on the island of Okinawa will continue, despite a referendum rejecting the move.

 

Some 72% of voters in the non-binding poll were opposed to the construction of a new base.

 

Okinawa hosts the country's largest US military presence.

 

In recent years, a number of accidents and crimes have led to growing local opposition to the base.

 

On Monday, Mr Abe told journalists the government takes the referendum result seriously, but cannot delay the 20-year-old plan to move US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to a new location.

 

"We cannot avoid the necessity of moving Futenma, said to be the most dangerous base in the world," the prime minister said.

 

"We can't put this off any longer."

 

Mr Abe said he hoped local residents would understand why he had to overrule their preference.

 

"We have spent many years holding dialogue with people in the prefecture. We will continue our dialogue so that we can gain their understanding," he added.

 

There were three options on Sunday's ballot paper: to support or oppose the move, or neither.

 

According to officials, 72% of those who voted opposed the relocation, compared to 19% in favour and around 9% voting for neither. Turnout was 52%.

 

Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki, who was voted in on a promise to fight the relocation, urged the government in Tokyo to "accept the resolute intention" of voters and "immediately halt the construction work".

 

Under a local ordinance, the governor is obliged to notify Tokyo and Washington and "respect the outcome" after more than a quarter of eligible voters rejected the proposal.

 

Local media said he will visit the prime minister's office and the US embassy in Tokyo later this week. However, Japan's central government retains the right to ignore the vote result.(ANA)

FA/ANA/25 February 2019--------