Judge Tosses Futenma Lawsuit

A federal judge in San Francisco has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Okinawan citizens, which sought to stop relocation of Futenma Marine Corps Air Station on the Japanese island prefecture. According to Japan Times, U.S. District Court Judge Edward Chen ruled that he lacked authority to order construction on the new base to stop. The lawsuit contended that construction would have severe effects on endangered species in the area. Okinawan citizens historically have been at odds with the U.S. military, and their own central government in Tokyo, over the presence of the air base and the troops who are stationed there.