Marine base debate clouds US-Japan relations

[unhappycamper]

Marine base debate clouds US-Japan relations
By ERIC TALMADGE
Associated Press Writer
Nov 10, 4:24 AM EST

TOKYO (AP) -- The deepening debate over the future of a major U.S. Marine base on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa has opened a broad rift in Washington's most important alliance in Asia ahead of President Barack Obama's visit to the region this week.

For decades, it has been a rallying point for Okinawans frustrated by the realities of sharing their tiny island with tens of thousands of American troops. So when Tokyo and Washington agreed three years ago to move Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to a less crowded place - the product of nearly 12 years of talks - the deal was hailed as a huge breakthrough.

Then Japan got a new government.

Now, with Obama visiting Friday and Saturday, Japan's fledgling liberal Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has put the plan on hold - and the debate about the future of Futenma and its nearly 4,000 Marines is fast becoming a major test of their countries' alliance.

With China's influence and military strength rising rapidly and North Korea honing its nuclear and missile technologies, the U.S. security relationship with Japan is more vital than ever.


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