December 31, 2009Ruling coalition partner Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Mizuho Fukushima said the party will consider a proposal to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Shimoji Island in southwestern Okinawa Prefecture.
"We'll consider various plans including that proposal. We respect proposals made by coalition partners," said Fukushima, state minister for consumer affairs and gender equality.
Her agreement to consider the proposal is expected to open the way for a government panel on U.S. bases in Okinawa to study the possibility of relocating Futenma base in Ginowan on Okinawa's main island to Shimoji Island in the city of Miyakojima.
However, she added that the SDP pursues relocation both out of Okinawa Prefecture and the country. The SDP has demanded that Futenma base be shifted to Guam.
Ruling Democratic Party of Japan Secretary-General Ichiro Ozawa made the proposal at a year-end party of secretaries general and other top officials of the ruling coalition partners Tuesday night.
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, however, pointed out that a relocation of the base to Shimoji is unrealistic. "Mr. Ozawa's proposal will be high on the agenda of our discussions. But there is a capacity problem."
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama only said he has left the matter to discussions at the government panel.
The previous Liberal Democratic Party-led government had agreed with Washington to transfer Futenma base to an area off Camp Schwab in the Henoko district of Nago, also on Okinawa's main island.
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(Mainichi Japan) December 31, 2009
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