Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine

Inamine and Defense Agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga signed a document in Tokyo stating the central and Okinawan governments have agreed to adopt the state's accord with the United States as "the basis for" the Futenma relocation.

Japan and the United States agreed in the accord signed May 1 to build two runways in a V-pattern extending offshore at Camp Schwab on Cape Henoko, part of the city of Nago.

Inamine for the first time expressed his support for the basic framework of the government's plan, based on the Japan-U.S. pact.

"Removing the danger of the Futenma Air Station has been the No. 1 long-standing issue for Okinawa," Inamine said at a news conference. "We have managed to take the first step for an early resolution of (the issue)."

The Japan Times Weekly: May 20, 2006
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