April 28, 2010
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The Japanese government's plan to relocate the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa has once again hit a snag.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama met with Torao Tokuda, a key figure from Tokunoshima Island in neighboring Kagoshima Prefecture, to discuss whether the island can host part of the functions of Futenma. Hatoyama met Tokuda at his home in Tokyo on Wednesday.
In the meeting, Hatoyama apologized for causing confusion in the government's handling of Tokunoshima in the pending relocation. He then reportedly asked whether about 1,000 US Marine troops and part of Futenma's functions can be transferred to the island.
Tokuda, who is a former Lower House member elected from the island, reportedly said it will be extremely difficult to accept the government plan, which faces mounting local opposition.The government is now finalizing its plan to transfer part of the functions of Futenma to the island about 200 kilometers north of Okinawa. At the same time it is considering modifying the existing plan, agreed on by the Japanese and US governments in 2006, of relocating the functions within Okinawa.
Tokuda's son Takeshi, who was at the meeting, confirmed that his father rejected the relocation plan.
Observers say Hatoyama was struggling to seek support from Tokuda, who still retains a huge influence over local politics even after his retirement, in the government's negotiations with local municipalities over the issue.
Hatoyama has repeatedly said he wants to settle the relocation issue by the end of May.
2010/04/28 14:49(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
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