Tens of thousands of people protested against a U.S. military realignment plan on Sunday in Okinawa of southern Japan, Kyodo News reported.

According to organizers, an estimated 35,000 protesters joined the two-hour rally in Ginowan, Okinawa prefecture, urging the immediate closure the U.S. Marine Corps Futemma Air Station in the city and its relocation outside Okinawa.

"The city of Ginowan strongly demands that Futemma, the world's most dangerous base, be shut down immediately and relocated outside of Japan," Kyodo quoted Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha as saying.

In October, Tokyo and Washington approved a realignment plan of U.S. troops in Japan, under which the Futemma Air Station's function is to be moved from Ginowan to Camp Schwab in Nago, which is also in Okinawa.

Okinawa hosts a large part of the 50,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan. Local residents have long complained about noise, social problems and crimes associated with the bases.

The participants adopted a resolution at the end of the gathering, demanding that the Japanese government respect local opinions against the relocation and realignment plans.

Last Sunday, an estimated 8,000 people in Kanoya, southern prefecture of Kagoshima protested against a possible military transfer plan, under which the Futemma Air Station in Okinawa might be moved to Kanoya.

Source: Xinhua