Japanese media report the Japanese government is hoping for an early launch of a construction project for the relocation of a U.S. air station in Okinawa.

Japan’s Mainichi Shimbun reported Monday that Japan's new defense minister, Naoki Tanaka, voiced hope Sunday that the government can begin construction work by the end of this year to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within Okinawa Prefecture.

Tanaka made the remarks in an interview with Japan’s broadcaster NHK Sunday.

The defense minister reaffirmed that the Japanese government will begin the relocation only after obtaining consent from Okinawa residents.

The U.S. is urging the Japanese government to make efforts to implement the relocation, saying a delayed move of the base would have negative effects on its plan to reorganize U.S. forces stationed in Japan.