Political parties throw their weight into ongoing Futenma saga

December 28, 2009

Suggestions from Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama that Futenma will remain in Japan have sparked fierce objections from the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Working-level talks between the government, the People's New Party (PNP) and the SDP, aimed at deciding on a new relocation site for U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma by next May, began on Monday under the leadership of Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano. The road ahead is expected to be rocky, however, with the SDP objecting to Hatoyama's assertion that relocation to Guam or another overseas location is unlikely, and the rising possibility that the SDP will withdraw from the coalition government if an agreement is not reached.

"(According to an agreement between Japan and the U.S.,) it has been decided that 8,000 U.S. Marines and their families based in Okinawa will be relocated to Guam," Hatoyama said to reporters on Sunday, repeating statements he made the previous day. "I imagine it will be difficult to increase that number, especially when taking deterrence issues into consideration." The prime minister added that this is just one of many ideas that would be discussed in the coalition talks that kicked off on Monday, while emphasizing that deterrence was a crucial issue.

In reaction to Hatoyama's statements, on Sunday, SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima told reporters of her intention to push for relocation to Guam during the talks. "I consider Guam a very good candidate for the Futenma relocation, and believe that the Cabinet should do all it can to relocate the air station outside Okinawa and Japan." Asked about a time frame for a final agreement, Fukishima said, "Finding a solution is more important than setting a deadline. We can't continue talks for an indefinite period of time, but the Cabinet needs to find a solution that will meet the demands of as many people as possible, and especially of the people of Okinawa."

PNP leader Shizuka Kamei also spoke to reporters in Tokyo. "We need to find our path, including addressing the prime minister's statement that (a Guam relocation) would be difficult," he said. Kamei hinted at the possibility of relocating within Japan, saying, "Some locations are coming forward to offer themselves as relocation sites."

On Sunday, members of the opposition weighed in on the recent developments within the government and the ruling coalition on a TV Asahi program. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sadakazu Tanigaki said, "At this rate, Futenma will remain in Okinawa, and Okinawa's burden will not be alleviated." Meanwhile, Kazuo Shii, president of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), warned, "Without finding a way out of the conditional return (of Futenma) and demanding unconditional removal of the air station, the problem will not be resolved." Your Party (YP) leader Yoshimi Watanabe stated, "Agreements between countries must be upheld even when administrations change."

(Mainichi Japan) December 28, 2009