Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima is expected to approve land reclamation work in the Henoko district in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, as early as Thursday, paving the way for relocating the U.S. Marines Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan 18 years after the Japanese and U.S. governments agreed to relocate the facility from a densely populated area in the prefecture, according to several sources.
Nakaima met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday afternoon at the Prime Minister's Office, where he was briefed on measures the government will take to reduce the prefecture's U.S. base-hosting burden, as well as steps to boost its economy.One of the biggest proposals is that Tokyo will enter negotiations with Washington toward signing a new accord to enable authorities from the Japanese side to enter U.S. bases in Japan for such purposes as environmental surveys. Such an accord would complement the Status of Forces Agreement.
"I'm grateful for the surprisingly good proposals made by the prime minister," Nakaima said after emerging from the 25-minute talk.
The measures that the government is expected to take include moving forward the deadline for returning land currently used by the Futenma Air Station from the current 2022 or later and carrying out U.S. military exercises using MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft in various locations.
Source:Yomiuri
"I'm grateful for the surprisingly good proposals made by the prime minister," Nakaima said after emerging from the 25-minute talk.
The measures that the government is expected to take include moving forward the deadline for returning land currently used by the Futenma Air Station from the current 2022 or later and carrying out U.S. military exercises using MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft in various locations.
Source:Yomiuri
