Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama yesterday informed residents near the U.S. Marine Corps Air Base Futenma, on Okinawa, that his administration will not be able to relocate the entire station off the island as he had promised during his election campaign.
The prime minister asked residents to “share the burden” of the base, according to the Japan Times, which also reported that when Hatoyama became prime minister last September, he strained ties with Washington by saying he would relocate Futenma out Okinawa prefecture altogether.
Hatoyama apologized to residents and said plans for the Futenma move have not been finalized. Located in the middle of Futenma city, the base is a noisy disturbance and source of pollution for nearby residents, and affects the city’s infrastructure.
The prime minister asked residents to “share the burden” of the base, according to the Japan Times, which also reported that when Hatoyama became prime minister last September, he strained ties with Washington by saying he would relocate Futenma out Okinawa prefecture altogether.
Hatoyama apologized to residents and said plans for the Futenma move have not been finalized. Located in the middle of Futenma city, the base is a noisy disturbance and source of pollution for nearby residents, and affects the city’s infrastructure.
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