More than half those troops are stationed in the southern island of Okinawa, where many residents complain about noise, pollution and crime linked to the bases.
U.S.-Japan ties have become strained since Hatoyama took office in September over the relocation of Futenma U.S. Marine airfield on Okinawa, as part of a broader reorganization agreed in 2006. The plan calls for 8,000 Marines to be transferred to the U.S. territory of Guam and for Futenma's facilities to be moved to a northern part of Okinawa.
But residents oppose the move and simply want Futenma shut down. Hatoyama has delayed making a final decision and said he's willing to consider other options for the base. The leader of a junior coalition partner has said she wants the base moved off Japanese territory altogether.
In Monday's speech, the prime minister said the Japan-U.S. partnership also needs to tackle broader issues such as global warming.
"It doesn't even need to be said that the core of the Japan-U.S. alliance is military security. But it is important to show that at various levels, Japan and America are in a crucial relationship," he said.
Domestically, Hatoyama said his main priority was passing a new budget and fiscal measures to keep Japan's nascent economic recovery on track.
He said it was too soon to elaborate on his party's strategy for elections for the less powerful upper house of parliament coming up this summer. Recent polls have shown his popularity has fallen sharply since his party swept to power last year.
Just send Obozo over there to bow down to them again. That’ll prove they’re superior to us.
Japan is the second largest foreign holder of our debt. They are just exerting their growing influence similar to what China is doing. We had better get used to being treated as the world’s largest debtor nation. Someone has to fill our begging bowl or we will go hungry. America is a nation in decline.
If Japan wants better relations with Obama all they need to do is start a nuke weapon program and give funding to terrorists.
I’m pretty sure what he means is if CONUS is attacked then we’ll have the JGSDF rushing over here....? Oh sure, I’m sure that’s what he means...