DefenseFutenma transfer hinges on designating long civilian runway for emergencies: PentagonAircraft at the Futenma base in Okinawa. (Photo by Akihiro Sano)AKIHIRO SANOApril 21, 2026 06:49 JSTNAHA, Japan -- The fate of Okinawa's Naha Airport has become entangled in the relocation of a key U.S. military base, with the Pentagon saying it will not return the Futenma site to Japan until a new runway is designated for emergency use.