Japan's defense minister has met with the governor of Okinawa to explain the latest agreement between Japan and the United States on the realignment of US forces in Japan.

Naoki Tanaka met Hirokazu Nakaima on Saturday in Naha.

In the meeting, Tanaka told Nakaima that the 2 governments have decided to start full-fledged discussions on the realignment plan in order to alleviate Okinawa's burden, while maintaining deterrent capabilities.

He said reducing Okinawa's burden is his top priority, and explained that the 2 governments had agreed to start relocating US soldiers even before the Futenma issue is resolved.

Nakaima said that he would like the negotiations to reflect Okinawa's will, and that he will watch the talks closely.

He said he wants the government to remember that the Futenma base must be removed as soon as possible.

Nakaima said although the national government is sticking to a plan to relocate the base to Nago, also in Okinawa, local opposition may make the move virtually impossible.

He said it would be faster to move it outside the prefecture.

Tanaka later told reporters that he will deal with the issue with the determination not to let the Futenma base stay, and that he wants to find a solution.

News credit: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120218_18.html

Image credit: http://english.kyodonews.jp/photos/assets/201201/0123006-thumbx300.jpg