Okinawans angered by U.S. official's reported remarks

NAHA, Japan, March 7 Kyodo - Okinawan politicians expressed anger Monday over alleged remarks by a former U.S. consul general in Japan's southern island prefecture in which he reportedly described local residents as ''masters of manipulation and extortion.''
Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima expressed dismay at the remarks attributed to former Consul General Kevin Maher, currently in charge of Japanese affairs at the U.S. State Department, saying, ''(The comments) make me question what the U.S. consular office (in Okinawa) exists for.''
''I wonder what he learned in Okinawa (when he was here),'' Nakaima told reporters.
The Okinawa prefectural assembly is also expected to unanimously adopt a resolution on Tuesday describing the comments attributed to Maher as unacceptable and seeking a retraction and apology, assembly members said.
The Naha city assembly is expected to pass a similar resolution on Tuesday.
The former consul general is also said to have commented on his experience of negotiating with Japan over the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station within the prefecture, which is fiercely opposed by local people.
According to a written account of the lecture Maher gave in Washington in December, he said, ''Consensus building is important in Japanese culture. While the Japanese would call this 'consensus,' they mean 'extortion' and use this culture of consensus as a means of extortion.''
''By pretending to seek consensus, people try to get as much money as possible,'' he was quoted as saying.
He also allegedly described people in Okinawa as ''masters of manipulation and extortion'' in their relations with the central government, according to the account.
Maher has told Kyodo News, ''I am not in a position to comment on the record at this time,'' saying his briefing was an off-the-record event. He said the account made available to Kyodo News was ''neither accurate nor complete.''
The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo issued a statement on Monday saying the official's alleged statements ''in no way reflect'' the views of the U.S. government.
''The U.S. government has the deepest respect for Okinawa and its people. The United States and Okinawa enjoy a deep, long and broad relationship,'' the embassy said.
In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told a news conference, ''I do not think it is necessary to verify every remark (made by a U.S. official) based solely on news reports,'' noting the two countries regularly discuss and share mutual understanding on a wide range of bilateral issues.
Edano made his remarks when asked if the government would make inquiries with the United States about the matter.
At the same time, he said it is ''natural for the people of Okinawa to be angry,'' based on the news coverage.
Edano added he believes the U.S. government will ''deal appropriately'' with the situation, if necessary.