Henoko, in Nago,　Okinawa Prefecture, is one of the sites considered as the new location of a U.S. Air Station.

This marks a reversal of Japan's position so far, as Tokyo refused a U.S. request for reviewing the plan early last year.

It is believed the government is taking into account the mounting calls for an early return of Futenma in the aftermath of a U.S. helicopter crash on a university campus near the air base Aug. 13.

The accident raised concerns that continued presence of the base in the middle of the city of Ginowan could lead to a major disaster in the future.

The government is apparently hoping to gain support from the public over the realignment of U.S. forces in the country by placing the return of Futenma, and thus a reduction of the burden on Okinawa, as the key issue in realignment negotiations, the sources said.

The United States agreed in 1996 to vacate the Futenma base "in five to seven years" on condition that its helicopter functions be relocated within the prefecture.

The Japan Times Weekly: Feb. 12, 2005
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