Japan premier faces more local rejection over US Marine base relocation

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Japan PM faces more local refusal on US base

TOKYO — Mayors on a small Japanese island refused Friday to lighten the load of neighboring Okinawa by hosting some of the U.S. Marines based there, throwing into doubt a compromise plan for the relocation of an American airfield.

A dispute over moving the Futenma Marine Corps airfield — which Okinawans say causes massive disruptions on their island — has shaken U.S.-Japan ties since Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama froze a 2006 agreement with Washington that called for the base to be moved to a less crowded part of Okinawa.

Hatoyama has since reversed his promise to get the base off the island entirely, saying recently that much of the airfield must remain on Okinawa, though areas nearby may share the burden.

“I hope you understand the reality that requires Futenma to stay on Okinawa and its nearby region,” he said Friday at his office, where the mayors visited. Overall, Okinawa hosts more than half of the 47,000 American troops stationed in Japan under a security pact.

But his compromise plan, which angered Okinawans, appeared to fall apart Friday when the three mayors from Tokunoshima flatly refused to take on part of Futenma’s helicopter unit, or up to 1,000 of the 2,000 Marines, to Tokunoshima, an island about 130 miles (200 kilometers) north of Okinawa. The plan also has an option of some drills to be staged on Tokunoshima.

The mayors gave Hatoyama a petition rejecting the plan that was signed by nearly 26,000 people, or 90 percent of the island’s population.

Akira Okubo, mayor of Isen town, said he sympathized with Hatoyama’s difficult position, but that wouldn’t change the islanders’ opposition.

Hatoyama has suggested he visit the island later this month to explain his proposal to residents, but the mayors rejected further meetings.

“We’ll never agree no matter how many times we talk,” said Kosuke Ohisa, mayor of Amagi town.

Hatoyama’s reversal on his promise has prompted opposition leaders to increase calls for his resignation. Support ratings for his government have fallen to around 20 percent amid his perceived lack of leadership.

Tokyo and Washington are now discussing Japan’s proposals, according to the prime minister, though U.S. officials have said the 2006 agreement is the only “viable” option.