Webb says relocation should go ahead as planned

Webb says relocation should go ahead as planned

2010/02/16 18:43(JST)

A visiting US senator says the relocation of the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa should be implemented as planned as part of the US military realignment scheme.

Jim Webb, who chairs the East Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, on Tuesday met with Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima.

Webb expressed appreciation for the contribution Okinawa is making to the bilateral effort to maintain security.

Pointing out that the Futenma base is located in a densely populated area, Webb said the need now is to move it out of the present site to ensure resident safety.

He said he hopes that the US military realignment scheme be implemented as planned, including the relocation of the Futenma base to Nago City, also in Okinawa.

Nakaima responded to Webb by stating that Okinawa will wait for the government and governing parties to come up with an alternative site for the relocation by May.