Okinawa referendum rejects relocation for US base

The residents of Japan's southwestern island region of Okinawa in a referendum have rejected a relocation plan for a US military base, increasing pressure on the central government to change its stance that the facility will be built regardless.

The results of Sunday's vote showed 72.2 percent opposed the plan for the Marine air base being built on a landfill in coastal Henoko. Voter support for the relocation plan totaled 19.1 percent.

The referendum is not legally binding but underlines Okinawans' sentiment on the relocation plan.