June 23, 2010
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Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima have agreed to continue talks on the controversial relocation of a US Marine air base, aiming to repair the rift between the government and the prefecture.
Kan visited Japan's southernmost prefecture on Wednesday for the first time since taking office.
After attending a memorial service for the war dead, he met the governor in the prefectural capital Naha.Nakaima said people of Okinawa are largely opposed to last month's Japan-US agreement to move the functions of the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station to a new runway to be built in Nago, in the north of the prefecture.
Nakaima also stressed the need for measures to revitalize the local economy, so that Okinawa can develop on its own.
In reply, Kan pledged efforts to ease the burden on the people in Okinawa, while upholding the Japan-US agreement.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tetsuro Fukuyama told reporters the meeting was a significant first step toward forging mutual trust between Kan and Nakaima.
2010/06/23 17:41(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
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