Prime Minister Hatoyama gives up May 31st deadline; targets mainland Japan for Futenma "replacement" base

Today NHK also reported on Prime Minister Hatoyama's acknowledgement that he will not be able to persuade Okinawans to accept a new base in Okinawa by May 31st.

In a related story, Hatoyma announced he is seeking alternative sites for the "replacement" base for the U.S. Marines at Futenma within mainland Japan.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is to ask prefectural governors across Japan to cooperate in accepting some functions of the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa.

Hatoyama met in Tokyo on Thursday with Fukuoka Governor Wataru Aso, who leads the National Governors' Association. Hatoyama asked Aso to open a governors' meeting within the month.

The prime minister said that his government is making various efforts to relocate the Futenma base, and that he wants to ask the governors in person to accommodate some functions of the US military facility.

Major U.S. bases in mainland Japan include Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture in northern Honshu Island; the joint U.S.-Japanese Yokota Air Base complex in Tokyo; Yokosuka Naval Base in Yokohama, just south of Tokyo; Iwakuni Marine Air Base near Hiroshima (this base is doubling in size to include personnel formerly stationed at Atsugi Air Base near Tokyo which is closing because of complaints about crime and noise); and Sasebo Naval Base near Nagasaki.

The U.S. also maintains munitions depots, communication bases, port facilities, warehouses, and firing ranges thoughout Japan.