The United States has welcomed the release of the report.
The US government has yet to issue an official statement, but officials say they are relieved that the 2 countries reached an agreement by the August 31st deadline they set in May.
The US is expected to pressure Japan to steadily implement the relocation plan and put the process on track by the time of President Barack Obama's visit to Japan scheduled for November.
A report by experts on relocating the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa includes 2 options for runway construction off US Camp Schwab on the same island.
On Tuesday, Japanese and US officials disclosed the contents of the report on moving functions of Futenma to the area off Camp Schwab in Nago city.
The report proposes building two runways in a V-shaped formation or a single runway as recently requested by Japan.
The report says both ideas meet safety standards, but that building only 1 runway would require aircraft to fly near mountains, possibly interfering with the planes' instruments.
It says 1 runway would require 40 hectares less in reclaimed land and would thus have a smaller effect on marine life.
Construction work for 1 runway would take 6 months less than building twin runways but would require new designs and further environmental assessments, making the single-runway process 9 months longer.
The report did not refer to changes in helicopter flight routes as requested by the US, and the two sides are expected to continue discussions on this issue.
Japan's Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa told reporters that both proposals have pros and cons that he hopes to discuss with local people. Kitazawa said he hopes to consider a new framework between the two countries so that the new facility can be used jointly by the US military and Japan's Self-Defense Forces.
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada told reporters that the report is based only on technical aspects, and that the government will officially decide on a proposal after factoring in political judgments.
Okada said what's important is gaining the understanding of the people of Okinawa, and that progress on the issue is impossible if a decision is reached without such understanding.
He added solid efforts and communication with Okinawa are necessary.
Nago has refused to be briefed by the Defense Ministry on the report.
The ministry's Okinawa bureau offered such a briefing to the city by phone on Tuesday, before the Japanese and US governments released the report that day.
But Nago said it won't accept a government briefing premised on relocating the base in the city.
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima told NHK that as the prefecture has not yet started formal negotiations on the matter with the central government, he's not interested in a briefing on a technical report.
Nakaima urged the government to explain to the people in Okinawa its about-face on its policy concerning the relocation, and said that without a convincing explanation, he won't start talks with the government.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan has accepted his predecessor Yukio Hatoyama's recommendation that he hold talks with former Democratic Party secretary general Ichiro Ozawa over the upcoming party leadership election.
Ahead of the September 1st official announcement of the Democratic Party presidential race, Kan and Ozawa are making moves to win the support of floating party members. Kan aims to be re-elected party president, but Ozawa has announced his intention to challenge him.
On Sunday night, Kan met with Hatoyama for about 40 minutes at the prime minister's official residence.
At the meeting, Hatoyama explained why he decided to support Ozawa.
Then Hatoyama recommended that Kan hold talks with Ozawa before the party presidential election is officially announced. He suggested that it might do Kan good to ask for Ozawa's cooperation. Kan replied that he would be grateful if Hatoyama would arrange such a meeting with Ozawa.
Kan and Hatoyama apparently did not discuss concrete ideas on personnel affairs, such as giving Ozawa a post to ensure party unity.
After the Kan-Hatoyama meeting, Democratic Party lawmakers supporting Ozawa held a meeting. Ozawa sent a message to them, saying he won't back off from the upcoming leadership race.
One of the participants said they discussed Ozawa's policies and how to prepare for the party leadership election.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan says he will focus on dealing with Japan's economic situation even after his party's leadership race starts next week.
The Democratic Party is to hold its presidential election on September 14th. On Thursday former party secretary general Ichiro Ozawa announced his intention to run for the party presidency, which also carries the post of prime minister as the party holds a majority in the lower house.
Kan told reporters on Friday that considering the current severe economic situation, he will give top priority to his role as prime minister even after the party leadership campaign begins on Wednesday.
Kan also said the Democrats always united after any party presidential election in the past.
He said he is convinced that the party will come together after the election because the Democrat-led government came into being in response to the expectations of the nation.
Meanwhile, Ozawa visited 4 organizations on Friday in an apparent effort to garner support for the leadership poll.
Ozawa visited the national organization of postal masters, and promised to work for an early passage of a bill to roll back the privatization of Japan's postal services if he becomes prime minister.
Ozawa also met Nobuaki Koga, the head of Japan's largest labor federation, Rengo, or the Japanese Trade Union Confederation.
Koga expressed concern that the race between Kan and Ozawa might split the labor organization. He asked if it is possible for Ozawa and Kan to negotiate to unite the party.
Ozawa responded that he had thought of that possibility and asked former prime minister Yukio Hatoyama to mediate between him and Kan but said the Prime Minister declined his overture.
Ozawa also said he sees the leadership election as an opportunity to explain his position on a scandal involving his political funding organization.
Groups of legislators backing Kan and Ozawa are trying to win support by making phone calls to undecided legislators and affiliated organizations.
A government advisory panel has proposed a fundamental review of Japan's basic defense force policy, including its ban on the export of arms. It says a transformation of Cold War-era thinking is needed to deal more flexibly with complex contingencies.
The panel of academics submitted its report to Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Friday. The proposals will form the basis of further government studies to update the National Defense Program Guideline by the year-end.
The report expresses concern over the recent security environment surrounding Japan. In addition to threats posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, the report refers to the modernization of China's military and its stepped-up naval activities in waters near Japan.
The report says that given the changing trends, Japan's Basic Defense Force Concept of prioritizing the size of deployments of troops and military hardware is no longer valid.
The report says such Cold War-era strategy should be replaced by a more dynamic and mobile approach to deterrence, through the active use of technology and intelligence.
Assuming a simultaneous contingency involving a ballistic missile and a terrorist attack, the report says the nation's Self-Defense Forces should strengthen their surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities, and that troops should be deployed to remote island regions.
Regarding the country's decades' old ban on the export of arms, the report urges a fundamental review, so that Japan can jointly develop and produce military equipment with other countries in addition to the United States.
The report also says that the nation's 3 non-nuclear principles of not producing, possessing or allowing the entry of nuclear arms is an issue that will come up for review in the future.
Prime Minister Kan said that the government will use the report as a reference, as it considers how to adapt to the changing international security environment.
Major US newspapers see the upcoming presidential race of Japan's ruling Democratic Party as possibly leading to political confusion and hurting the country's economy.
The party's former secretary general Ichiro Ozawa announced on Thursday that he will challenge Prime Minister Naoto Kan for the party leadership. The winner will most likely be Japan's prime minister.
The Wall Street Journal said in its online edition that Ozawa's bid could mean more turmoil for the dysfunctional political system he has spent years pledging to fix. It added that the move could further undermine the Japanese government's ability to address a deepening economic mess.
The paper also says Ozawa in recent years has irked Americans with his blunt talk.
The paper refers to his comment to his study group on Wednesday that he likes Americans but that they are rather simple-minded. It also cites Ozawa's remarks last year that the US Navy's 7th Fleet would be enough for a future US presence in Japan.
The New York Times wrote that Ozawa's challenge could bring upheaval to the Democrats just as Japan's recovery from a painful recession shows signs of sputtering.
The Democratic Party of Japan leadership election is becoming a face-off between party heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa and the current party President and Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
Supporters for both candidates are working hard to reach out to as many undecided DPJ lawmakers as possible.
On Thursday, Ozawa announced his decision to run in the party's presidential election next month. The winner of the leadership race will automatically become the next prime minister of Japan.
Kan spoke to his aides on Thursday night and said that he wants to carry out a fair election that will satisfy the Japanese people. He also said he feels he is facing a historical mission, because the election will be a test for the DPJ.
About 20 DPJ members close to Kan gathered at a Tokyo hotel and called undecided lawmakers by phone to garner support for the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, Ozawa held meetings with former Prime Ministers Yukio Hatoyama and Tsutomu Hata, along with other party seniors to secure their support.
Lawmakers close to Ozawa also made phone calls to other party members to try and drum up support for their candidate.
The DPJ election will be officially announced on Wednesday.
Former secretary general of the governing Democratic Party Ichiro Ozawa has declared that he will run in the party's presidential election against Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who's running for reelection.
Ozawa told reporters on Thursday that he decided to run in the September 14th election after former prime minister Yukio Hatoyama promised his full support.
Hatoyama told reporters that he's morally obliged to provide such support since he asked Ozawa to join the Democratic Party in the first place.
Ozawa later met senior party members and secured their support. About 20 junior party members close to Ozawa agreed to work to seek support from other members. Kan met 14 first-term Lower House members who are backing him for reelection. He said he wants Ozawa to make clear to the party and the public what he would do as party leader and prime minister.
Kan also told his aides that he does not deny the importance of party unity, but that he will reject any pre-election deal for party posts, in an apparent reference to Ozawa.
At a meeting of party members close to Hatoyama, some senior members said they would back Ozawa. Others said Hatoyama should talk Ozawa out of running because a confrontation between him and Kan could split the party.
The election will be officially announced on Wednesday.
The head of the US Pacific Command says the United States and Japan are still debating options on the runway to be built at the relocated Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture.
Admiral Robert Willard said in an interview with NHK on Tuesday that there is a debate ongoing with regard to the flight pattern associated with different runway options being discussed by an experts' group.
He said it's important that the flight pattern minimizes the impact on the community in Nago City, the planned relocation site, but maximizes efficiency and safety for aviators.
Japan is seeking a flight pattern that minimizes noise to obtain the understanding of the local community.
The 2 countries are aiming to compile a report on the alternative facility by the end of August, which could include an option proposed by Japan to build one runway instead of 2.
A memorial service was held at a Tokyo temple for Koreans who died in or shortly after World War Two while serving the former Japanese military.
Yutenji temple held the ceremony on Tuesday for people from the Korean Peninsula who died in Japan, Southeast Asia, and China as servicemen and civilian employees of the Japanese military.
The temple keeps the remains of 702 Koreans that have not been returned to their homeland in the 65 years after the war. The remains include those of people that died when a Japanese transport ship sank off Maizuru in Kyoto Prefecture, western Japan, on its way to the Korean Peninsula shortly after the war.
81-year-old Kazuichi Onodera was on board the ship as a 16-year-old radio operator. He said he offered a prayer to the dead, as a survivor of the sinking.
A female college student said she was surprised that the remains are still kept at the temple 65 years after the war. She said she hopes to contribute in some way to help return the remains to their homeland as soon as possible.
Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan has asked for cooperation from the United States on reducing Okinawa's burden of hosting US bases.
Kan made the call when he met the commander of US military forces in the Pacific, Admiral Robert Willard, who was accompanied by US Ambassador to Japan John Roos in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Kan said this year marks the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-US security treaty. He said the two countries' alliance is the core of Japan's diplomacy, and that he hopes to further deepen bilateral ties in broad areas.
Admiral Willard said the Japan-US alliance is in good shape, and that recognition of the importance of the alliance is deepening among countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Kan also referred to the issue of relocating the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. He said Japan will aim to build a replacement runway in the Henoko area in Nago City, also in Okinawa, based on a Japan-US agreement reached in May, but that it is important to obtain Okinawa's understanding.
Kan said he would like to ask for further US cooperation on decreasing Okinawa's base-hosting burden.
Japan's Prime Minister Naoto KanKan calls for deeper Japan-US ties says the Japan-US alliance is a cornerstone for the country's diplomatic and security policies.
Kan met Commander of US military forces in the Pacific Admiral Robert Willard, who was accompanied by US Ambassador to Japan John Roos in Tokyo, on Tuesday.
Kan said this year marks the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-US Security Treaty. He said that he hopes to deepen the Japan-US alliance.
Admiral Willard said that the bilateral alliance is now in good shape. He said he appreciates Kan for his support.
Japan-US relations were strained over the issue of the relocation of the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa under the administration of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
A memorial service has been held in Tokyo for Japanese who died in internment in Soviet Siberia in the years after World War Two.
Monday marks the 65th anniversary of the day when Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin ordered that Japanese soldiers and civilians be sent from China to Siberia and elsewhere for internment.
Japan's Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry estimates that about 575,000 Japanese were interned, and that 55,000 of them died as a result of forced labor or exposure to severe cold.
On Monday, 150 people attended the memorial held at the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery for unknown soldiers.
The annual memorial service was started 7 years ago by a group of former internees and relatives of those who lost their lives during the internment. Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Akira Nagatsuma's attendance at Monday's service was the first for a state minister.
Nagatsuma said the government will work hard to clarify how the internees were treated and collect their remains.
A former internee, Shizuo Miyazaki, said he is deeply saddened that his fellow soldiers died uselessly, and that he wants their tragedy to be known.
Japan's top government spokesman says he expects the upcoming leadership election of the governing Democratic Party to be an occasion to discuss Japan's future.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku told reporters on Monday that Japan faces difficult situations in terms of its rapidly aging society. He said the country must decide on its relationships with Asia's emerging economies, South Korea and the United States.
Sengoku said he and his fellow Democrats should listen carefully to the people and thoroughly discuss the direction in which to steer the country.
He said he hopes the party can convey to voters how it sees current problems and plans to address them in debates during the election.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan has urged new lawmakers of his Democratic Party to support his bid for reelection as leader of the party in its upcoming election. Official campaigning starts on September 1st.
On Monday, Kan met about 20 such Diet members, in the first of a series of such meetings.
Kan said he wants to stay on as party leader for the next three years to win voter trust and implement pledges made by the party during last year's Lower House election campaign. He suggested that after he accomplishes this, the Upper and Lower House elections be held at the same time.
Asked about calls for strong party unity, Kan said he hopes to reestablish the party in a way to motivate all of its members.
He also said he will seek help from former party secretary general Ichiro Ozawa whenever he has a role to play, adding that he is a capable politician.
Debate is ongoing as to whether Ozawa should run in the party election after he resigned as secretary general over political fund scandals.
Some lawmakers said Kan should clearly explain how he will implement the campaign pledges and where he's leading Japan.
Kan is due to meet, through Wednesday, 150 new Democrat lawmakers -- more than one-third of the party's Diet members.
2 Maritime Self-Defense Force officers have pleaded not guilty in a case of a fatal collision between a destroyer and a fishing boat 2 years ago.
In February 2008, the destroyer Atago, equipped with an advanced Aegis radar system, collided with the fishing boat in the Pacific off Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo. The boat's father-and-son crew were not found and were declared dead.
The 2 lieutenant commanders, Tomohisa Nagaiwa and Keitaro Ushirogata, are facing charges of professional negligence resulting in death.
Nagaiwa told the Yokohama District Court during an initial hearing on Monday that the content of the indictment is completely false.
Nagaiwa was on lookout duty and had command of the destroyer when the collision took place.
Ushirogata, who had the same duties just before the accident, also called the indictment groundless.
Prosecutors said Ushirogata mistakenly judged that the fishing boat had stopped, and failed to watch sufficiently.
The prosecutors also said Nagaiwa did not take evasive measures until just before the collision.
A governing Democratic Party official intends to ask the party's former Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa to run against Prime Minister Naoto Kan in the upcoming party leadership election.
DPJ Vice President Kenji Yamaoka said on Sunday that if Kan is reelected party chief, the Lower House will have to be dissolved for a general election next year to seek a mandate from the people. He said this would make the party unable to fulfill its responsibilities to the public.
Yamaoka plans to ask Ozawa on Thursday to stand in the leadership election after soliciting reactions from his study group members to a speech that Ozawa will deliver on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kan will start meetings on Monday with 1st-term Lower House members to listen to their demands for the government.
Kan will also receive on Monday a briefing from Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda on planned stimulus measures, and hopes to meet Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa by the end of this week.
Kan says the economy and employment are the most important issues, and that he wants to tackle them without wasting any time.
Campaigning for the September 14th DPJ leadership election will begin on September 1st.
A memorial service was held in Okinawa for the Pacific War victims who lost their lives on a ship sunk by the US.
The Tsushima Maru ship was used to evacuate children from Okinawa to Kyushu during the war.
On August 22nd 1944, the ship came under US attack and sunk. It is said that 1,476 people died, including 779 children.
Sunday marked the 66th anniversary of the tragedy.
A memorial service was held in Naha City, Okinawa.
About 350 relatives of victims and survivors attended the service, held in front of a cenotaph dedicated to victims.
The exact number of victims is still unknown. The names of 54 victims have been added this year.
The head of the group of survivors and relatives of victims, Masakatsu Takara, said the group will keep working to find out the names of unknown victims.
Sea water collected near the area where the ship sank was poured on to the memorial to honor the memory of the victims. Attendants burned incense and prayed that the horrors of war never happen again.
Hatsue Tanaka lost her mother and younger sister on the Tsushima Maru. She said she sends her deepest prayers for their souls.
Survivor Hisashi Teruya said the tragic history of Tsushima Maru must be told and remembered.
While some in Japan's ruling Democratic Party support the reelection as leader of Prime Minister Naoto Kan, there are others calling for former Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa to run in the party's leadership election, due to be held on September 14.
Ahead of the start of official campaigning on September 1, Kan will meet members of the Lower House who have been elected just once beginning on Monday to gain their support for his reelection.
The party's Financial Committee chair, Yoko Komiyama, spoke to reporters on Sunday in favor of Kan's reelection. She said the upcoming leadership election is necessary, but that it has been barely 3 months since Kan's predecessor Yukio Hatoyama stepped down along with Ozawa in an attempt to restore the party's tarnished image.
Senior Vice Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Shu Watanabe, said that it will be hard for Ozawa to run in the election because it may appear completely counter to expectations. He said his party should send a message that it will follow up on its pledge to cede sovereignty to the regions, and that he wants to convey this message to Kan.
Party vice president Kenji Yamaoka, who is close to Ozawa, said that if Kan is reelected, he will be forced to dissolve the Lower House and hold a general election at the beginning of the ordinary Diet session next year, making the party unable to fulfill its responsibilities to the people. He said he will call on Ozawa this week to stand in the leadership election.
Yoshikatsu Nakayama, who was an advisor to Hatoyama, said the former prime minister is biding his time to see if Kan becomes willing to implement policies he initiated last year when taking office.
Subcommittee On Insular Affairs: Oversight Hearing On "U.S. Military Buildup On Guam And Challenges Facing The Community"
August 13, 2007
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CAPT R. Hemstreet
Deputy Commander for Operations
Naval Facilities Engineering Command SAME Forum
May 2007
Installation Management Programs
RDML Mark Handley
Director, Ashore Readiness Division
Deputy Commander, Navy Installations Command
4 April 2007
ADMIRAL WILLIAM J. FALLON
U.S. Navy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
Before the House Appropriations Committee
Subcommittee on Military Construction
on Military Construction in U.S. Pacific Command
7 MAR 07
Lt Col Kevin Wong, USAF
U.S. Pacific Command
28 Feb 07
U. S. Pacific Command:
Perspective of the Pacific
Joint Guam Program Office
SAME International Business Opportunity Workshop
22 February 07
Mr. David Bice
Executive Director, Joint Guam Program Office
CAPT R. Hemstreet
Deputy Commander for Operations
Naval Facilities Engineering Command
SAME: Navy's Construction Program: Pacific
21 February 2007
The report proposes building two runways in a V-shaped formation or a single runway as recently requested by Japan.
On Sunday night, Kan met with Hatoyama for about 40 minutes at the prime minister's official residence.
The Wall Street Journal said in its online edition that Ozawa's bid could mean more turmoil for the dysfunctional political system he has spent years pledging to fix. It added that the move could further undermine the Japanese government's ability to address a deepening economic mess.
On Thursday, Ozawa announced his decision to run in the party's presidential election next month. The winner of the leadership race will automatically become the next prime minister of Japan.
Hatoyama told reporters that he's morally obliged to provide such support since he asked Ozawa to join the Democratic Party in the first place.
He said it's important that the flight pattern minimizes the impact on the community in Nago City, the planned relocation site, but maximizes efficiency and safety for aviators.
Kan said this year marks the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-US security treaty. He said the two countries' alliance is the core of Japan's diplomacy, and that he hopes to further deepen bilateral ties in broad areas.
Kan said this year marks the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-US Security Treaty. He said that he hopes to deepen the Japan-US alliance.
Japan's Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry estimates that about 575,000 Japanese were interned, and that 55,000 of them died as a result of forced labor or exposure to severe cold.
Sengoku said he and his fellow Democrats should listen carefully to the people and thoroughly discuss the direction in which to steer the country.
On August 22nd 1944, the ship came under US attack and sunk. It is said that 1,476 people died, including 779 children.
The party's Financial Committee chair, Yoko Komiyama, spoke to reporters on Sunday in favor of Kan's reelection. She said the upcoming leadership election is necessary, but that it has been barely 3 months since Kan's predecessor Yukio Hatoyama stepped down along with Ozawa in an attempt to restore the party's tarnished image.
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