Hatoyama says Obama did not ask him 'Can you follow through?'

Apr 20 08:22 AM US/Eastern

TOKYO, April 20 (AP) - (Kyodo) — Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama denied on Tuesday media reports that U.S. President Barack Obama asked him during their brief talks in Washington last week "Can you follow through?" when the premier promised him he will settle a U.S. base-related issue by the end of May.

"At least my ears did not hear him use the phrase 'Can you follow through?'" Hatoyama told reporters at his office.

But the Japanese leader also said he is unable to reveal the details of what Obama said to him during their 10-minute talk at a banquet for the Nuclear Security Summit on April 12, citing their relationship of trust.

"Even if I want to tell you, I cannot tell you," he said. "I would like you to understand that."

According to diplomatic sources from the two countries, Obama during their talk expressed doubt over Hatoyama's handling of the issue on where to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, saying no progress had been made on that matter.