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Japan PM scraps US base move plan Japan PM scraps US base move plan
(40 minutes later)
Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has said it will not be feasible to entirely remove a controversial US base from the island of Okinawa.Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has said it will not be feasible to entirely remove a controversial US base from the island of Okinawa.
The US Marines' Futenma base is deeply unpopular with many residents and removing it had been a key election pledge of the prime minister.The US Marines' Futenma base is deeply unpopular with many residents and removing it had been a key election pledge of the prime minister.
But on a visit to the island, Mr Hatoyama said "realistically speaking, it is impossible" to fully relocate it.But on a visit to the island, Mr Hatoyama said "realistically speaking, it is impossible" to fully relocate it.
The island is home to over half the 47,000 American troops based in Japan.The island is home to over half the 47,000 American troops based in Japan.
Mr Hatoyama, speaking on his first visit to Okinawa since becoming prime minister, said maintaining the base in some form was needed for national security, under Japan's post-war military alliance with the US.Mr Hatoyama, speaking on his first visit to Okinawa since becoming prime minister, said maintaining the base in some form was needed for national security, under Japan's post-war military alliance with the US.
"I really feel sorry as I visit here today that I must ask for the Okinawan people's understanding that part of the base operations would have to stay," he said."I really feel sorry as I visit here today that I must ask for the Okinawan people's understanding that part of the base operations would have to stay," he said.
He called on the Japanese people to be "willing to share the burden, because the bases are necessary for national security".He called on the Japanese people to be "willing to share the burden, because the bases are necessary for national security".
OKINAWA Located off the south coast of the Japanese mainlandHome to several US bases and more than 20,000 troopsIsland administered by the US from 1945 until 1972Many residents blame US bases for crime and noise pollution Profile: Japan's Okinawa class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/haveyoursay/2010/05/what_should_happen_to_the_us_b.html">Send us your comments OKINAWA Located off the south coast of the Japanese mainlandHome to several US bases and more than 20,000 troopsIsland administered by the US from 1945 until 1972Many residents blame US bases for crime and noise pollution Profile: Japan's Okinawa
Mr Hatoyama, who had promised to resolve the issue by the end of this month, was greeted by banner-waving protesters demanding the closure of the base as he arrived for his one-day visit.Mr Hatoyama, who had promised to resolve the issue by the end of this month, was greeted by banner-waving protesters demanding the closure of the base as he arrived for his one-day visit.
He said that regardless of where the troops were moved there would be "critical voices from local people".He said that regardless of where the troops were moved there would be "critical voices from local people".
But the governor of Okinawa prefecture, Hirokazu Nakaima, told reporters Mr Hatoyama's plans went against the wishes of local people, and that he still had time to change his mind.But the governor of Okinawa prefecture, Hirokazu Nakaima, told reporters Mr Hatoyama's plans went against the wishes of local people, and that he still had time to change his mind.
"There is still some time until the end of May. I want him to continue to consider this in line with his election pledges," he said."There is still some time until the end of May. I want him to continue to consider this in line with his election pledges," he said.
ProtestsProtests
Japan and the US agreed a deal in 2006 to reduce the US troop presence in Okinawa, under which Japan would contribute $6.1bn (£4bn) towards the cost of moving some 8,000 troops to the Pacific island of Guam.Japan and the US agreed a deal in 2006 to reduce the US troop presence in Okinawa, under which Japan would contribute $6.1bn (£4bn) towards the cost of moving some 8,000 troops to the Pacific island of Guam.
The airfield at Futenma would be closed and replaced by a new base in Nago in Okinawa's less populated north.The airfield at Futenma would be closed and replaced by a new base in Nago in Okinawa's less populated north.
The US has been staunchly opposed to any renegotiation of the deal, and the row has damaged bilateral ties.The US has been staunchly opposed to any renegotiation of the deal, and the row has damaged bilateral ties.
It has also undermined support for Japan's centre-left government.It has also undermined support for Japan's centre-left government.
Mr Hatoyama took office in September, promising to steer Japan into a more independent relationship with the US - reassessing Okinawa was a central part of this pledge.Mr Hatoyama took office in September, promising to steer Japan into a more independent relationship with the US - reassessing Okinawa was a central part of this pledge.
But his approval rating have plummeted in recent month to around 20%, partly over what has been seen as his indecision over Okinawa.But his approval rating have plummeted in recent month to around 20%, partly over what has been seen as his indecision over Okinawa.
Last month, nearly 100,000 people staged a protest on the southern island, demanding that the base be removed.Last month, nearly 100,000 people staged a protest on the southern island, demanding that the base be removed.
Islanders have been angered by incidents involving US troops based there, including the 1995 rape of a 12-year-old Japanese girl by three US servicemen and a helicopter crash on a university campus in 2004.Islanders have been angered by incidents involving US troops based there, including the 1995 rape of a 12-year-old Japanese girl by three US servicemen and a helicopter crash on a university campus in 2004.
Other complaints have focused on noise levels and objections to the US military use of Japanese land.Other complaints have focused on noise levels and objections to the US military use of Japanese land.
Analysts say Mr Hatoyama's handling of the bases issue could be critical ahead of elections for Japan's upper house of parliament in July.Analysts say Mr Hatoyama's handling of the bases issue could be critical ahead of elections for Japan's upper house of parliament in July.
Okinawa is the focal point of the security treaty between the US and Japan which has balanced military power in the north-east Asian region since the end of World War II.Okinawa is the focal point of the security treaty between the US and Japan which has balanced military power in the north-east Asian region since the end of World War II.
Under the pact, Japan - which is prevented from maintaining a war-ready army by its pacifist constitution - subsidises the US military presence while the US guarantees Japan's security.Under the pact, Japan - which is prevented from maintaining a war-ready army by its pacifist constitution - subsidises the US military presence while the US guarantees Japan's security.
Do you live in Okinawa? What is your reaction to the PM's announcement? Do you think the US base should be removed from the island? Send us your views using the form below.Do you live in Okinawa? What is your reaction to the PM's announcement? Do you think the US base should be removed from the island? Send us your views using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions