US, Japan discuss plans for US forces on Okinawa
WASHINGTON — U.S. and Japanese officials are discussing plans for shifting thousands of American forces from Japan to the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.
Plans to transfer some 8,000 U.S. Marines off the southern Japanese island of Okinawa have been delayed for years, as many locals want the military off the island altogether. The plans involve the construction of a new airfield in a less congested part of Okinawa.
Japanese newspapers have reported the two sides have reached broad agreement to transfer some 4,700 Marines from Okinawa to Guam before settlement of the air base dispute.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland gave few details of Monday’s talks in Washington but said the U.S. still supported the principles of the 2006 realignment plan.
