Sources in Japan said the governor held a closed-door meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa.
A Japanese parliamentary panel already recommended to follow the original Bases Realignment Agreement, or BRAC, that the U.S. and Japan signed in 2006 calling for the relocation of Futenma within Okinawa where it is currently located instead of moving it overseas.
White Beach which is near Okinawa was recommended as the new Futenma site.
However, some political groups in Japan continue to push for Futenma’s relocation outside of Japan.
On a March 23 news conference in Japan, Kitazawa said a review committee visited Guam and Saipan.
He said the committee conducted an aerial and topographical field visit in certain areas on Guam which will host 8,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa beginning in 2014.
Tinian came into the picture because a huge part of the island’s public lands are leased to the U.S. military.
But according to Kitazawa, “I think it is quite difficult to bring up new issues, including Tinian. Although the review committee has to make a decision, I think it is quite difficult to consider this possibility given the prime minister’s firm determination to resolve the issue by May.”
He added, “Considering how the U.S. forces will react to such an idea [relocating Futenma to Tinian] and considering that there is a major issue of deterrence, I think the idea will inevitably ignite a debate as to if deterrence can really be maintained by deploying everything in such rear locations. If the debate is extended as such, it would be quite difficult to conclude it within May.”
Guam is not willing to host Futenma. Tinian, however, welcomes the idea.
Tinian Mayor Ray Dela Cruz said he is scheduled to attend the 65th anniversary commemoration in Japan of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki this August.
Dela Cruz hopes their island would be seriously considered as Futenma’s new home.
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