Kan, Willard agree to work closely on Futenma base relocation

Updated on Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 16:12

Tokyo: Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and the head of the US military Pacific Command, Admiral Robert Willard, has agreed to work closely on the planned relocation of the US Marine Corps' Futenma airbase in Okinawa Prefecture, the Foreign Ministry said.

Kan told Willard at the premier's office that Japan needs continued cooperation from the United States to ease the burden on the people of Okinawa of hosting the bulk of US forces in Japan, the ministry said.

Photo: U.S. Pacific Command Commander Admiral Robert F. Willard (L) is welcomed by Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo August 24, 2010.

Kan said making meaningful burden reduction efforts for the southwestern Japanese prefecture will be crucial to winning understanding on relocation within the prefecture, agreed by the two countries in May.

Japan and the United States have agreed to transfer the heliport functions of the Futenma Air Station, located in a crowded residential area of Ginowan, to the less populated Henoko district in Nago.

But strong opposition remains among many people in the prefecture partly because Kan's predecessor Yukio Hatoyama last year promised to move the air station out of the island prefecture.

Photo: U.S. Pacific Command Commander Admiral Robert F. Willard (L) talks with Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo August 24, 2010.

Kan and Willard also agreed that the long-standing security alliance between the two countries is essential for ensuring stability and prosperity in Japan and the surrounding region.

Willard, who heads the Hawaii-based command overseeing all US military operations in the Asia-Pacific region, also paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada.

Despite some difficulties over the planned Futenma relocation, Willard told Okada at the start of their talks, "All in all, the US-Japan relationship is as strong as ever."

Among other topics, Kan and Okada separately discussed with Willard regional security issues, including those related to North Korea, according to the ministry.

Okinawa school marks 50th year of US fighter crash

Naha (Japan), June 30: A memorial service was held on Tuesday at a public elementary school in Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture, on the 50th anniversary of a US fighter jet crash that killed 11 students and six others in the neighborhood.

On June 30, 1959, an F-100 jet on a test flight from the US Kadena Air Base in then US-occupied Okinawa developed an engine fire and crashed into Miyamori Elementary School and houses nearby at lunchtime.

In addition to the 17 fatalities, 210 people were injured including 156 pupils. The pilot was unhurt after parachuting out.

The accident prompted fresh ill feelings toward the US military in Okinawa, where a fierce battle was fought during World War II, and led to mounting calls for reversion to Japan, which was realized in 1972.

Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima, former pupils of the school at the time of the crash, and the victims' bereaved families were among the roughly 800 participants in the service.

"The Okinawa people of the time were deeply saddened by the accident in which the lives of children having dreams and hopes for the future were lost," Nakaima said in his address.

Current student representatives laid flowers and paper cranes at a stone statue built in 1965, a "peace bell" was rung and the participants offered a silent prayer.

Bureau Report