By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

THE Japanese consulate office on Guam is gearing up for its expanded role in ensuring a smooth transition when the Pentagon begins relocating the 8,000 Marines from Okinawa, a process that is targeted for completion by 2014.
“Right now, the discussion on the Marines’ relocation is between Tokyo and Washington, D.C. In Guam, what we can do is extend assistance to Japanese officials who come here and arrange meetings with Guam officials. At this junction, that is the kind of job that we see our office doing,” Japanese Consul General Tamio Tomino told Variety.
“When the discussion and the relocation process becomes a day-to-day affair, then that’s when my office becomes more involved. The role of my office will increase and we will be expected to provide necessary information to both governments,” Tomino said.
Tomino was stationed in Papua New Guinea before coming to Guam last week for a two-year term on island.
During a courtesy call in Adelup last week, Gov. Felix P. Camacho and Tomino briefly discussed the issue of the Marines’ relocation.
“The governor and I hope for the success of this process. The military buildup will be good for Guam’s economy. With 8,000 Marines and their dependents transferring to Guam, more people will spend money,” Tomino said.
Last week’s Japanese election removed a political hurdle in the “road map” for realigning U.S. bases in Okinawa. The relocation of the Marines to Guam is heavily dependent on the Okinawans’ willingness to accept a comprehensive agreement to real ign the U.S. bases in Japan.
The U.S.-Japan realignment agreement, finalized last May, calls for a new facility to replace the Futenma base. The target date for completion is 2014, after which 8,000 Marines will be relocated to Guam.
But in the year since the road map was finalized, there has been little visible progress on relocating the Futenma base. Disagreements between Okinawan officials and the Japanese central government over the new facility’s design and a strong local anti-base movement have bogged down the relocation efforts.
But with Sunday’s election to the Upper House of Aiko Shimajiri, who had the backing of Japan’s ruling parties, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe now has an important political ally in his efforts to convince Okinawans to accept a comprehensive agreement to realign the U.S. bases in Japan.