Japan accepts two-runway airstrip for U.S. base relocation in Okinawa+

TOKYO, April 29 Kyodo -
The Japanese government has decided to accept the U.S.-preferred option of building an airstrip with two runways for the pending issue of how to relocate a U.S. Marine base within Okinawa Prefecture, government sources said Friday.
After reaffirming a plan to move Futenma Air Station within Okinawa in May last year, the two countries unveiled in August two options for the planned replacement facility -- either two runways in a V-shaped formation or a single runway -- with the government of Prime Minister Naoto Kan proposing the latter.
With the two sides committed to determining the design and other technical details of the facility by their next ''two-plus-two'' ministerial security meeting, which is now expected to be held by June, Tokyo has come to accept Washington's adamant position, the sources said.
Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa plans to visit Okinawa on May 7 and convey Tokyo's decision to Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima, who has opposed the base's relocation within Okinawa and expressed hope that it be moved elsewhere in Japan.
With Okinawa expected to stay opposed to the planned relocation, there remains no prospect for moving the thorny issue forward even after Tokyo and Washington work out the remaining details.
The two countries already agreed in 2006 to build on the coast of Nago city in Okinawa a replacement facility for Futenma with two runways in a V-shape, which would prevent aircraft from flying above residential areas after takeoffs or for landing.
But with Tokyo reviewing the accord after the Democratic Party of Japan took power in 2009, they have left the details pending, while reaffirming the plan to relocate the base to the Nago coast.
Washington has maintained the V-shaped formation is the ''best'' option based on operational and other factors. Tokyo preferred a single runway on the grounds that it is advantageous from the environmental viewpoint.
By accepting the option of two runways to make headway on the relocation issue, Tokyo hopes to draw from the U.S. side additional measures to reduce base-hosting burdens on Okinawa, such as the return of premises south of Kadena Air Base, the sources said.
In a bid to reduce noise damage to residents around the planned relocation site, the Japanese government is also considering moving the site for the new airstrip somewhat more offshore within 55 meters from the shore to show its consideration for Okinawa while avoiding a fresh start of the procedure for an environmental assessment which has already made substantial progress.
==Kyodo
2011-04-29 23:44:45