Posted on 10/15/2005 11:58:59 AM PDT by Lessismore
The Japanese and U.S. governments have reached a broad agreement under which the United States will return port facilities at Naha Naval Port in Naha and the Makiminato Service Area in Urasoe, Okinawa Prefecture, to Japan, government sources said Saturday.
The functions of the two facilities would be integrated with those at Camp Courtney in Uruma in the prefecture, they added.
According to the sources, the United States told Japan that the facilities' return must be complimented by a solution to the long-running dispute over the relocation of the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station.
To ensure the early return of the two facilities, the Japanese government has begun studying the costs of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps headquarters from Camp Courtney to Guam.
The Naha port is in the west of the Okinawa prefectural capital and is used for unloading and storing military supplies.
The Makiminato supply base is used for storing and controlling military goods.
Both facilities have been seldom used, but are seen as important logistical bases in the event of war.
The Okinawa prefectural government demanded their return to assist in urban development because they are located in the most economically active areas of the prefecture's main island.
In previous talks, the two governments tentatively agreed to move the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force's headquarters and some other functions from Camp Courtney to Guam. The U.S. side basically agreed to move the functions of the Naha port and the Makiminato base to an area in Camp Courtney during a meeting of high-ranking officials.
Some logistical units now stationed in the Makiminato district will be moved to Guam, the sources said.
To realize the return of the two facilities through the planned relocation and consolidation of the U.S. bases, the Japanese government is considering financial assistance for the constructing military facilities in Guam, which will accommodate the Marine Corps headquarters and logistical forces.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi also instructed the Defense Agency to discuss financial assistance for the relocation, among other actions, the sources added.
The United States has asked Japan to contribute financially to the relocation.
According to the U.S. Congress' committee on the relocation of overseas bases, relocating the two facilities will cost about 300 billion yen.
The Naha port, which covers about 60 hectares, is frequented by 30 to 40 ships annually. The Japanese government pays about 1.8 billion yen in rent to landowners annually.
The Makiminato supply base, on about 274 hectares, is used by logistical units of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force. The Japanese government pays about 4.3 billion yen in rent annually.
In exchange, the US will receive 4,000 Walkman's...
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