Japan's Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba is planning to visit the US later this month for talks on the bilateral alliance and the relocation of a US base in Okinawa.

Gemba will visit Washington from December 18th to 20th. He is expected to meet Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the White House national security advisor.

In a news conference on Wednesday, Gemba said it is important to deepen the Japan-US alliance on many levels.

He said he wants to discuss regional and global issues with the US not only at official meetings but also in informal settings that allow frank exchanges of opinions.

During his visit, Gemba will confirm that Japan will implement the plan to relocate the US Futenma air station to Nago, also in Okinawa, as has been agreed upon by the 2 countries.

He will inform the US that the Japanese government will submit to Okinawa prefecture by year-end its final environmental assessment for the relocation plan.

Gemba also told reporters that he wants to discuss with the US what kind of aid can be offered to promote Myanmar's democratization.

Source: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20111208_17.html

Image credit: http://radiomuqdisho.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/washington.jpg