Claiming that he is “striving for a reduction in burdens”, the defense minister reports to Okinawa’s governor the transfer of marines to Guam. (20de24)
Splendor of Okinawa: Philippine Ground Orchid, roadside Futenma, 16de24. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani conferred with Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki at the Prefectural Office on 15 December. The defense minister informed the Governor that the transfer of US Marines in Okinawa to the US territory of Guam had begun, as part of the realignment of US Military Forces in Japan. The minister further expressed his thinking of putting his efforts into reducing the burden on Okinawa, where US Military bases in Japan are centered. Governor Tamaki requested that he be shown a concrete schedule for the transfer of the marines This was the first conference between the two since Minister Nakatani took office in October. During their talks, Minister Nakatani pointed out the increasing severity of the environment which wraps Japan in its Security Guarantees, and requested the governor’s understanding of his system for the reinforcement of the southwest region. On the Guam transfer, the govern...