Kan puts no deadline in resolving U.S. base issue before U.S. trip+

TOKYO, Dec. 2 Kyodo -
Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Thursday that Japan will not put a deadline on
resolving the issue of relocating a key U.S. Marine base within Okinawa
Prefecture, raising the prospects that Tokyo may not be able to settle the
issue in time for Kan's scheduled visit to the United States next spring.
After a meeting earlier in the day with Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima for the
first time since Nakaima's reelection Sunday, Kan told reporters, ''Of course,
the (Futenma issue) is a crucial issue for Japan-U.S. ties, but I'm not
thinking of setting a deadline.''
The two nations are planning on the occasion of Kan's trip to release a joint
statement on deepening the Japan-U.S. security alliance.
Tokyo and Washington agreed May 28 to move the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air
Station within Okinawa, but it has been met with strong opposition from locals
who protest that they were not consulted about the bilateral accord.
Thursday's talks between Kan and Nakaima once again highlighted the gap in
their positions as Kan reiterated the government's policy to stick with the May
accord while working toward easing the burden on Okinawa, while Nakaima said he
is honoring his election pledge to realize the transfer of the base out of the
prefecture.
At the outset of their meeting at Kan's office in Tokyo, which was open to the
press, Nakaima called for the government to ''rethink its bilateral accord with
the United States and to move the base outside the prefecture'' and sought the
premier's help.
Kan said in response that his government will deal with the matter
''carefully'' and ''exchange opinions thoroughly'' with Okinawa to try to find
a ''direction'' to their discussions about Futenma.
On when he will visit Okinawa, the premier said he is looking into the
''appropriate time'' to make a trip to the southwestern Japan prefecture.
Nakaima, who will serve his second four-year term as Okinawa governor, said to
reporters after the meeting that the premier did not respond to specific issues
but instead called for continued exchange of opinions about the relocation
issue.
While saying it was ''quite difficult'' to push through with the May accord and
that Okinawa needs a convincing, thorough explanation from the central
government, Nakaima also acknowledged the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance
and asked that the government resolve the issue by involving the whole country.

Okinawa has for decades hosted the bulk of U.S. military forces stationed in
Japan. Residents have complained about accidents and crimes involving U.S.
servicemen, as well as the pollution and safety risks associated with the
military bases.
==Kyodo