TOKYO, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- In talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in Tokyo on Wednesday, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki indicated he wanted increased dialogue with the central government about resolving its contentious plan to relocate a U.S. military base within Japan's southernmost prefecture.
Tamaki called for the establishment of a framework for talks after he met Suga for the first time since he became prime minister last month, he told reporters, adding that he also asked for assistance from the central government in helping boosting the southern island prefecture's economy.
To the latter request, Tamaki said Suga was entirely cooperative.
Tamaki also held discussions with Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi prior to meeting Suga, during which he requested the central government halt the relocation work at the new site for the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which will be transferred from densely populated Ginowan to the pristine Nago coastal region, also in Okinawa.
Land reclamation work for the replacement military facility in Nago has been pushed ahead by the central government despite heavy resistance from the Okinawa government, with central and local governments being involved in a number of lawsuits and counter suits over the matter.
Residents of Okinawa have long urged the central government to ease their U.S. base hosting burdens.
The tiny subtropical island hosts the majority of U.S. troops based in Japan, yet accounting for just a fraction of Japan's total land mass.
Okinawans have had to deal with numerous instances of serious U.S. base personnel-linked crimes including murder and rape, as well as a steady flow of U.S. military mishaps and accidents, such as those involving military aircraft. Enditem
