ID :
152965
Fri, 12/10/2010 - 05:51
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/152965
The shortlink copeid
Kan may visit Okinawa next week over U.S. base relocation+
TOKYO, Dec. 9 Kyodo -
Prime Minister Naoto Kan may visit Okinawa Prefecture next week to discuss the
relocation of a U.S. Marine base with local authorities, government sources
said Thursday.
Kan told reporters at his office in the evening that his schedule has yet to be
finalized but he is considering visiting the prefecture this month.
The government has asked the Okinawa prefectural government whether it would be
possible for Kan to visit on Dec. 17 or Dec. 18 to hold talks with Gov.
Hirokazu Nakaima and other local officials, according to the sources.
Securing local acceptance of a plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma
Air Station within the prefecture, agreed on earlier this year by Tokyo and
Washington, is one of many problems facing Kan as the governor of Okinawa, who
has opposed the plan, won reelection late last month.
If realized, it would be Kan's second visit to the prefecture since he became
prime minister in June.
Japan and the United States agreed on May 28 to relocate the Futenma base
within the southwestern island, triggering strong opposition from local
residents, partly because Kan's predecessor, Yukio Hatoyama, had raised hopes
that the base would be moved out of the prefecture.
In a related development, two deputy Cabinet secretaries, Tetsuro Fukuyama and
Kinya Takino, will travel to Okinawa on Monday to make preparations for the
premier's visit and discuss a plan to convene this month a council tasked with
the future development of the prefecture and alleviating the burden of hosting
bases.
In November, Kan promised U.S. President Barack Obama that he would make utmost
efforts toward relocating the air station to a less crowded area in the
prefecture in line with the bilateral accord.
But Kan said earlier this month that Japan will not put a deadline on settling
the relocation issue, even though he is due to visit the United States next
spring for talks with Obama and release a joint statement on the two countries'
security alliance, which marked its 50th anniversary this year.
Okinawa has for decades hosted the bulk of U.S. military forces stationed in
Japan under a bilateral security pact. Local 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
Prime Minister Naoto Kan may visit Okinawa Prefecture next week to discuss the
relocation of a U.S. Marine base with local authorities, government sources
said Thursday.
Kan told reporters at his office in the evening that his schedule has yet to be
finalized but he is considering visiting the prefecture this month.
The government has asked the Okinawa prefectural government whether it would be
possible for Kan to visit on Dec. 17 or Dec. 18 to hold talks with Gov.
Hirokazu Nakaima and other local officials, according to the sources.
Securing local acceptance of a plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma
Air Station within the prefecture, agreed on earlier this year by Tokyo and
Washington, is one of many problems facing Kan as the governor of Okinawa, who
has opposed the plan, won reelection late last month.
If realized, it would be Kan's second visit to the prefecture since he became
prime minister in June.
Japan and the United States agreed on May 28 to relocate the Futenma base
within the southwestern island, triggering strong opposition from local
residents, partly because Kan's predecessor, Yukio Hatoyama, had raised hopes
that the base would be moved out of the prefecture.
In a related development, two deputy Cabinet secretaries, Tetsuro Fukuyama and
Kinya Takino, will travel to Okinawa on Monday to make preparations for the
premier's visit and discuss a plan to convene this month a council tasked with
the future development of the prefecture and alleviating the burden of hosting
bases.
In November, Kan promised U.S. President Barack Obama that he would make utmost
efforts toward relocating the air station to a less crowded area in the
prefecture in line with the bilateral accord.
But Kan said earlier this month that Japan will not put a deadline on settling
the relocation issue, even though he is due to visit the United States next
spring for talks with Obama and release a joint statement on the two countries'
security alliance, which marked its 50th anniversary this year.
Okinawa has for decades hosted the bulk of U.S. military forces stationed in
Japan under a bilateral security pact. Local 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
