A ceremony has been held in Okinawa to mark the return by the US of nearly 4,000 hectares of land to Japan. The return of about half the US military training area on the island is the largest since 1972.

The reduction of the military's territory on Okinawa by 17% was in exchange for the construction of Osprey aircraft helipads nearby. Many residents are opposed to the deal. Demanding an unconditional land return, Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga skipped Thursday's ceremony and joined a protest.