Japanese delegation continues Guam trip

Japanese delegation continues Guam trip

Posted: Feb 11, 2010 9:58 AM
Updated: Feb 11, 2010 9:59 AM

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - A delegation from the Japanese government tasked with looking into alternatives for the Futenma Replacement Facility is on Guam. They have plans to tour the military bases on island as well as meet with Governor Felix Camacho this afternoon. The delegation will also now meet with members of the Guam Legislature.

According to the Japan Consul General's Office the group is being lead by Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yorihisa Matsuno. Included in the group are Japan's Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister of Defense, Kazuya Shimba; State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Kiochi Takemasa; two lawmakers of the House of Representatives with the Social Democratic Party, Tomoko Abe and Ryoichi Hattori; and from the People's New Party, Mikio Shimoji and Daisuke Nagayama.

The new leaders in Japan are no longer in agreement with the 2006 pact signed between the United States and their country to have the Futenma Replacement Facility be located in Henoko; they want it completely out of Okinawa and Guam and Tinian are currently being looked at. The Japanese government hopes to make a determination for the new location next month.

The U.S. has contended that if the Futenma Replacement Facility does not occur neither will the relocation of the U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam. The delegation will depart Guam late this afternoon.