Okinawa Prefecture reverses stance, accepts U.S. Osprey deployment

NAHA, Japan - Okinawa Gov. Genta Koja said Friday he accepts the deployment of U.S. military MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft at the Futenma air station, reversing the southern Japan prefecture's longstanding opposition to their presence.

Previous prefectural governments, under governors critical of U.S. bases, had opposed the deployment of the tilt-rotor aircraft since before they were first stationed at the base in 2012, citing safety concerns. Koja assumed the post of Okinawa governor late last month.