Kan to continue to seek understanding from Okinawa on relocation

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TOKYO, Nov. 29 Kyodo -
Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Monday he intends to continue to seek
understanding from Okinawa Prefecture on Tokyo's plan to relocate a U.S. Marine
base within the island prefecture, after incumbent Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima won
reelection in Sunday's gubernatorial race.
''I called Gov. Nakaima a while ago and said 'congratulations' on his
victory,'' Kan told reporters at his office in Tokyo. ''I told him 'I'd like to
continue to exchange opinions on Okinawa thoroughly' and he responded that he
wants to do so too.''
But Kan did not say when he wants to visit the southwestern prefecture to
discuss the contentious issue in detail.
Earlier in the day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku also emphasized
that Tokyo will continue to call for Okinawa's understanding for the
government's plan to transfer the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to
stick to the Japan-U.S. accord forged in May this year.
''We have no choice but to continue talks so that we can resolve the issue
comprehensively including the revitalization of Okinawa and the alleviation of
its base-hosting burden,'' the top government spokesman said.
Sengoku also added that the government should hold a meeting with Okinawa by
the end of this year on specific revitalization plans for the prefecture as
Tokyo is set to compile a draft budget proposal for fiscal 2011 in December.
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said separately, ''Mr. Nakaima has been
strongly calling for promoting the economy in Okinawa, and there is much room
for talks with the government,'' while adding the situation is still severe
amid strong local opposition against the relocation plan.
Nakaima, who has called for the relocation outside of Okinawa but has left room
for negotiations with the central government, won Sunday's election, beating
his sole rival -- former Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha who has been more strongly
opposed to Tokyo's relocation plan.
Lawmakers in Kan's ruling Democratic Party of Japan have mostly expressed
relief over Nakaima's victory, as he has shown a relatively flexible attitude
in talks with the state on the Futenma relocation.
''Honestly speaking, it was a relief,'' a senior DPJ lawmaker said Sunday.
''But the tough situation over the Futenma Air Station relocation has not
changed,'' he added.
Meanwhile, opposition parties harshly attacked the DPJ on Sunday for not
fielding a candidate due to an intraparty feud, in which the party headquarters
backs the Japan-U.S. accord to move the Futenma facility within the prefecture
while the local chapter opposes it.
Natsuo Yamaguchi, chief of the New Komeito party, which had backed Nakaima,
told reporters the DPJ ''has given up its independence as a ruling party.''
Nobuteru Ishihara, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, whose
local chapter also backed Nakaima, issued a comment saying the DPJ ''has
demonstrated its inability to govern as it failed to field its own candidate.''
The DPJ faced criticism from even Mikio Shimoji, secretary general of the
People's New Party, the DPJ's coalition partner, which supported Iha.
Shimoji said it is unacceptable for a ruling party not to back a candidate in
such a high-profile election.
==Kyodo
2010-11-29 21:51:31