Japan may delay finalizing U.S. base relocation details

TOKYO, July 20 Kyodo -
Japan may delay finalizing details of the planned relocation of a key U.S.
military base within Okinawa Prefecture, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa
suggested Tuesday in reference to the original deadline of August.
Kitazawa, speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting, said the government
must pay attention to the result of a gubernatorial election in Okinawa slated
for November.
''We must place importance'' on the election to choose the governor ''who has
the heaviest responsibility for Okinawa,'' he said.
The Japanese and U.S. governments agreed in May to move the U.S. Marine Corps
Futenma Air Station within the island prefecture despite strong opposition from
locals. The two countries also decided to work out such details of the
relocation plan as a specific location and construction methods for the
replacement facility by late August.
Kitazawa said the government hopes it could avoid forcing people in Okinawa to
accept finalized details without any argument, adding, ''I think it is likely
that we cannot tell anything for sure until after the election.''
His comments signal that the government may not aim to reach a conclusion
during the ongoing talks between Japanese and U.S. officials, and will instead
only narrow the possible options they could take.
Tokyo's position of delaying the relocation may cause a U.S. backlash. But
Kitazawa said, ''I believe the U.S. side understands the political situation in
Okinawa well.''
The Japan-U.S. agreement in May said more of the U.S. military drills in
Okinawa will be transferred out of the prefecture, naming Tokunoshima Island in
Kagoshima Prefecture, Self-Defense Force bases in mainland Japan and the U.S.
territory of Guam as possible hosts.
The government is now more likely to abandon the Tokunoshima option as it is
considering giving up earmarking in the budget for next fiscal year the cost of
research in connection with a possible transfer of some U.S. military drills
there, government sources said.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan denied anything had been finalized.
''As for Tokunoshima, we have not decided anything,'' Kan told reporters. He
reiterated the government will proceed with the Japan-U.S. agreement while
making every possible effort to ease the burden on Okinawa of hosting U.S.
military bases.
The move to give up securing funds reflects concerns over the considerable
costs likely to arise in building supply and maintenance facilities and
barracks needed to move the drills onto Tokunoshima, said the sources, who
added strong protests from the islanders over accepting the drills were also
factored in.
Kitazawa has said a concrete transfer plan would be compiled by the end of next
month. For now, the Defense Ministry will consider moving the drills to SDF
facilities where the U.S. military has already conducted them, they said.
==Kyodo