Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture commemorates 42 years since its return from U.S. occupation on Friday.

The island prefecture was held by the United States from the end of World War Two until 1972.

Visitors joined residents in a peace march against the presence of US bases on the islands.

More than one thousand people called for peace and expressed opposition to the US military presence.

Participants targeted a plan to transfer the Futenma Air Station to another part of the prefecture.

The governor of Okinawa approved the plan in December against strong local resistance.

The rally began at the planned site early this morning.

Demonstrators will march over three days, and end their rally at the gates of Futenma.

Nearly three-quarters of US military bases in Japan are located in Okinawa.