NHK reported this afternoon that in light of Okinawa Governor Tamaki’s plan to visit Tokyo to meet with relevant officials on Okinawa’s opposition to the government’s plan to start pouring earth into the Henoko landfill site on Dec. 14, Defense Minister Iwaya stated today that he is willing to meet with Tamaki at the Defense Ministry as soon as Thursday if his schedule allows to try to obtain his understanding for the steady implementation of the Henoko relocation plan, which is ultimately aimed at returning MCAS Futenma to eliminate the danger it poses. He reiterated that the government is making all necessary preparations to start earth-pouring operations on Dec. 14 as planned, weather conditions permitting.