Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton remained apart Jan. 12 on a spat over a U.S. military air base that has strained Japan-U.S. relations but still agreed to further deepen the bilateral alliance as it marks its 50th anniversary this year.

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada speaks at a news conference in Kapoleli, Hawaii, on Jan. 12. AP PHOTO

Clinton said at a joint news conference with Okada following their talks in Honolulu that Tokyo should implement at an early date a 2006 bilateral deal to relocate the U.S. Marines Futenma Air Station in Okinawa.

"Our position remains that in terms of both the security arrangements needed to protect Japan and to limit the impact of bases on local communities, particularly on Okinawa, that the realignment road map presents the best way forward," she said.

For his part, Okada said he reiterated Japan's plan to try to reach a decision on the relocation issue by May. He said it is vital not to let the issue adversely affect the bilateral alliance.

"It is important to resolve the Futenma issue...We want to minimize any impact from it on the Japan-U.S. alliance," the foreign minister said.

Despite the base row, Okada and Clinton shared the view that the bilateral alliance is indispensable for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Okada said he and Clinton formally agreed to take the opportunity of this year marking the 50th anniversary of the current bilateral security arrangements to launch consultations to further deepen the alliance.