The SDP is a member of Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama’s coalition government, which wants the Futenma airbase out of Japan.
After a quick news briefing at the airport’s VIP lounge, the three visiting lawmakers, who were accompanied by some Japanese media members, then headed to Guam where military-related talks will be held at 2 p.m. today.
Fitial is also attending the same event.
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio and Senate President Paul A. Manglona was with him yesterday during the meeting with the visiting lawmakers.
Daisuke Nagayama, Shimoji’s staffer and interpreter, said the Japanese lawmakers wanted to find out the sentiments of the governor and other CNMI officials about the military buildup project.
“They want to know more about the [local people’s] feelings about the relocation of the troops. The Futenma airbase is part of it,” Nagayama told the Variety.
Fitial said the CNMI welcomes the plan provided the U.S. government approves it.
“That is our position — we welcome anything that will benefit the commonwealth provided that we receive the blessings of the U.S. government. Anything that has something to do with defense and foreign affairs, we defer that to the U.S. government,” he told the media.
“We heard Guam is not interested in accommodating Futenma…. If the federal government will allow us we [will] welcome the U.S. military,” he added.
Guam has already agreed to the relocation of at least 8,000 U.S. Marines from Okinawa starting in 2014.
The relocation, however, may be delayed until the issue about the Futenma airbase is resolved.
The airbase provides vital aerial training to Japanese and American troops and their allied forces.
Also yesterday, Saipan welcomed Yashushi Shimazu, chief executive officer of YSO Home and Island Aviation Inc., and Tsuneo Shimoji, coordinator of the Japan-Northern Marianas Legislative Association, who will tour the CNMI and hold talks with local leaders.
Speaker Tenorio, who hosted a dinner reception for the two visitors, described Shimoji as a friend of the CNMI who was “instrumental in bringing Japanese investors to our islands for a long time.”
