Japan funding almost $500M for relocation

by Sabrina Salas Matanane from KUAM.com

Guam - With a Record of Decision on the military buildup due out next week, it's becoming increasingly clear the transition of troops is going to happen and where they plan to plant their boots.

As a matter of fact, an announcement was made in Tokyo that U.S. Ambassador in Japan John Roos and Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada have sealed an agreement providing that the Government of Japan will provide almost a half-billion dollars to the U.S. Government during Fiscal Year 2010 for the Marines' relocation from Okinawa to Guam.

And according to the breakdown of the money, it's going to projects in the Finegayan and Apra areas.

$497 million is the total, to be divided as such:

• $309 million will go to on-base infrastructure projects in the Finegayan area
• $25 million will go to the construction of a fire station
• $25 million to build a port operation unit headquarters building in the Apra area
• $96 million to build a medical clinic in the Apra area
• $43 million to design the Marines administrative building, headquarters, police station, physical training complex, dining facility and bachelor enlisted quarters all in the Finegayan area