Jun 25 12:57 AM US/Eastern
WASHINGTON, June 25 (AP) - (Kyodo) — The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday offered thanks to the people of Japan, especially in Okinawa, for continuing to host U.S. forces, which it says provide the deterrence and capabilities necessary for the defense of Japan and the maintenance of peace, prosperity and stability in Asia-Pacific region.
The House passed the resolution in the day's plenary session by an overwhelming majority of 412 to 2 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the revised Japan-U.S. security treaty, which went into force on June 23, 1960.
It apparently passed the bipartisan resolution with the intention to help restore bilateral ties between Japan and the United States, which deteriorated over plans to relocate a key U.S. Marine Corps air station in Okinawa, political sources said.
Okinawa, an island prefecture in southwestern Japan, hosts much of U.S. military presence in Japan and is hoping to reduce its burden.
Congress also hopes to enhance ties with the Japanese government of new Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who succeeded Yukio Hatoyama earlier this month.
The House "recognizes Japan as an indispensable security partner of the United States in providing peace, prosperity, and stability to the Asia-Pacific region," the resolution says.
It also "recognizes that the broad support and understanding of the Japanese people are indispensable for the stationing of the United States Armed Forces in Japan, the core element of the United States- Japan security arrangements that protect both Japan and the Asia- Pacific region from external threats and instability."
The House "encourages Japan to continue its international engagement in humanitarian, development, and environmental issues; and anticipates another 50 years of unshakeable friendship and deepening cooperation under the auspices of the United States-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security."
The resolution notes that the United States and Japan "reconfirmed" a commitment to relocate the Marines Futenma base in the densely populated area in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, to a less populated coastal area in Nago, also in the prefecture.
People in Okinawa have hoped for the air station to be relocated out of Okinawa.
Hatoyama, who earlier vowed to relocate the Futenma base out of Okinawa at the worst, resigned in early June to take responsibility for money scandals and the fiasco involving the relocation issue.
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