U.S. Futenma relocation plan will come under review

Japan's defense chief suggested that Japan and the United States may review their agreement on returning to Japan the site of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station under condition that a new U.S. base should be constructed.

At a news conference on February 20, Director General of the Defense Agency Ishiba Shigeru stated, "The Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) final report may of course be reviewed in the Japan-U.S. discussion which will consider what to do with U.S. Marine Corps or Air Force personnel stationed in Okinawa."

Akahata reported that the issue will be brought up in Japan-U.S. consultations on the construction of a new U.S. base as substitute for the U.S. Futenma base, and that the SACO Final Report will be reviewed.

The United States has already begun discussing the matter with the Japanese government as part of its discussion with other countries on the realignment of overseas U.S. military bases. (end)