TOKYO — The governor of Okinawa ordered the suspension of work on a new American military airfield on Monday, escalating a confrontation with the central government. Officials in Tokyo said they would ignore his order and continue preparations for the project.

Construction of the airfield at Camp Schwab, a Marine Corps base near the village of Henoko, has been delayed for years by local opposition. Among other issues, parts of the two planned runways would jut into the coral-filled waters of Oura Bay.

Protesters outside the camp appeared in television news reports on Monday cheering the suspension order.

The governor, Takeshi Onaga, gave those in charge of the project one week to halt a maritime geological survey for the base planned by the Japanese Defense Ministry. He threatened to revoke a marine drilling permit if the deadline is missed, and said it would be illegal to continue the survey work beyond that time period.