Apr 21 04:29 AM US/Eastern
(AP) - TOKYO, April 21 (Kyodo) — Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Wednesday his desire to seek the relocation of a U.S. Marine base outside of the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa remains unchanged, adding he has no plans to alter the self-imposed May 31 deadline on resolving the dispute.
Hatoyama said he places priority on removing the dangers posed by the Futemma Air Station in the crowded city of Ginowan to the residents nearby, saying his government will make maximum efforts so they would eventually lead to the return of the base site to the Japanese side.
"We must try to reduce the burdens on the people of Okinawa as much as possible," he said during a one-on-one debate with opposition leaders at the Diet. "My desire to seek (the base's relocation) outside of the prefecture hasn't changed."
Hatoyama, who leads the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, made the remarks during the debate with main opposition Liberal Democratic Party President Sadakazu Tanigaki and Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of another opposition party, the New Komeito party, at the Diet in the afternoon.
Under a current plan agreed on between Japan and the United States in the Futemma base will be relocated to a coastal area of the Marines' Camp Schwab in Nago, also in Okinawa. The base would be returned to Japan upon the project's completion.
On an idea he says he has in mind with regard to where to move the Futemma base, Hatoyama said he cannot disclose it yet, saying, "It would trouble (a potential relocation host) even if we tell them that (the relocation) will be done this way, unless the U.S. side has expressed understanding of it."
At the same time, Hatoyama apologized to the residents of Tokunoshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture which the government is eyeing as a possible relocation site for the Futemma base although it has yet to announce it officially.
"I'm very sorry for causing them concern while we haven't said anything (about the government's relocation plan)," the prime minister said.
Hatoyama also indicated he would consider visiting Okinawa at an appropriate time over the matter.
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