Asia-Pacific

Hirano likely to visit Tokunoshima Island

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-14 16:21

TOKYO - Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano will probably hold further talks with a number of officials from Tokunoshima Island this weekend in a bid to overcome the impasse regarding the relocation of a US military functions in Okinawa, the top government spokesperson told reporters Friday.

"I've heard that there are people who would like to know the government's views and there is no reason to reject such a request," Hirano said at a news conference.

Hirano will be likely to visit the small island of Tokunoshima in Kagoshima Prefecture, located 200 kilometers northeast of Okinawa, on Saturday, to follow up on Wednesday's visit to talk with the five assembly members, the outcome of which he described as "very severe."

Hirano was referring to the islanders' mounting negative reaction to the central government's idea of relocating some of the drills from the US Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa, which would involve 500 US Marines moving to Tokunoshima.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama who said the government will make every effort to resolve the base row, even if it means negotiations continue beyond his self-imposed deadline of May 31, held meetings earlier in the day with his Chief Cabinet Secretary, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa and Transport Minister Seiji Maehara.

Following the meeting Japan's defense minister said the government will deliver an official statement on "the direction" of how to relocate the Futemma air field by the end of May, adding that discussions will continue as to how to best deal with the local communities involved and the United States.

The US remains adamant that a bilateral deal reached by both countries in 2006 under the previous administration still represents the best solution for security in the Asia Pacific region and any alternative plan, such as the one Japanese government is currently honing in on, must have the support of local leaders and residents and have the backing of Japan's ruling coalition.