Okinawan airspace to be transferred to Japanese control

Japanese Transport Minister, Seiji Maehara, stated the control of airspace over Okinawa Prefecture would be transferred from the US military to Japanese air traffic controllers for the first time in the postwar era on 31-Mar-2010 (The Asahi Shimbun, 20-Mar-2010). The Transport Ministry stated the change of control would allow for smoother commercial services to/from Naha Airport.