A tussle between Japan's central government and Okinawa Prefecture over the relocation of a US military base was escalating on Tuesday, as Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the work was not to be halted.

"There is no reason to stop the operation at this moment," said Yoshihide Suga, who is also in charge of the reduction of Okinawa's military burden.

The Defense Ministry has filed an appeal against the governor's stoppage order.