US presses Japan on air base relocation

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said on Tuesday it was critical for Japan to press ahead with the relocation of a controversial air base on a southern island to ensure the region’s security. In an effort to galvanise the stalled move amid public opposition, Japanese leaders pledged to issue an environmental impact report on shifting the Futenma Air Station from a residential area on Okinawa to a nearby coastal spot. “The minister assured me the government of Japan’s intention to move forward with steps necessary with the Futenma replacement facily,” Panetta said during a joint press conference with Japanese Defence Minister Yasuo Ichikawa. “This is a critical initiative in our effort to maintain a strong, forward-deployment presence in the Pacific region,” Panetta said. Panetta reiterated that the base realignment will come alongside the redeployment of around 8,000 US service personnel from Okinawa to Guam. “It is also important to reducing the impact of our bases in Okinawa,” he said. Meanwhile, Ichikawa and Panetta reaffirmed the importance of the US-Japan security alliance as a “cornerstone” of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific. The Pentagon chief, who also met with Prime minister Yoshihiko Noda, was in Japan on the second leg of a tour of Asian allies where he has repeatedly stressed Washington’s commitment to remaining a Pacific power, as nations in the region nervously eye China’s growing military might. Panetta said Washington will jointly will work with Japan, South Korea and Australia to “effectively address many shared challenges” of living next to the communist country. “Together, we will also work to encourage China’s emergence as a responsible and positive partner in building regional stability and prosperity, cooperating on global issues, and upholding international norms and rules of behaviours,” he said, without elaborating. Panetta is scheduled to head to South Korea Wednesday. A long-standing agreement between Washington and Tokyo was set to see the Futenma air base moved by 2014.