By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

THE U.S. ambassador to Japan, J. Thomas Schieffer, said the Pentagon’s Marine relocation plan will involve a three-way partnership that will equally benefit the United States, Guam and Japan.
“At the end of this project, we want the people of Japan, the people of America, and particularly the American people who call themselves citizens of Guam to feel that they have won in this process and that they have contributed to a better America, a better Japan and a better Guam,” Schieffer said during a meeting with Guam and Japan officials Saturday night.
“I want to say to the people of Guam how much we appreciate you hosting us and what a great opportunity this is to enhance Guam and to build a new Guam, a Guam of the future,” Schieffer added.
The U.S. ambassador met with Gov. Felix P. Camacho, Lt. Gov. Mike Cruz and representatives from the Japanese Diet and the Japanese Foreign and Defense ministries during a dinner reception hosted by the Guam Chamber of Commerce at the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa Saturday night.
Speaking on behalf of the U.S. government, Schieffer welcomed the Japanese delegation to America, whom he referred to as “the people who can make the smooth relocation of Marines to Guam happen.”
Representative Yochinori Ohino, chairman of the Social Committee on Military Bases within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said the Marines’ transfer will yield “double benefits to both Guam and Japan” as it will strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance.
“Leaders on all sides expressed their gratitude to one another and their commitment to help each other benefit from the relocation of U.S. Marines to Guam,” a press release from the governor’s office stated.
Camacho and Cruz discussed with Schieffer and the Japanese officials the commercial opportunities and the island’s economic growth that will be generated by the relocation of 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam.
“Guam is the gateway between Asia and America and we are excited to be your partner as the world’s two greatest allies converge here to promote peace and prosperity, making history every step of the way,” Camacho told his guests.
He describes Guam’s relationship with Japan “as indispensable to our future.”
“Together, this partnership driven by all of our best interests will bring to all of us an unmatched level of prosperity,” Camacho said.
“We’ve looked just three hours by plane to the North to build the industry that has brought Guam this far. Again, we find ourselves in partnership for the greater good of all and I’m honored that we’ve all joined together in this mission where we all will benefit,” he added.
Guam contractors are looking forward to being awarded a significant number of military construction projects that will result from the military expansion.
There was talk that the Japanese government wants these projects to be awarded to Japanese contractors in exchange for the $6 billion that it will contribute to the $10 billion in relocation funds.
During a meeting last week, Pentagon officials told Guam senators that no arrangement has been made with the Japanese government with regard to the construction plans.