Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will visit Okinawa to explain last week's agreement between the governments of Japan and the United States on the realignment of US forces in Japan.

The 2 countries have agreed to separate the issue of the relocation of the Futenma Marine Corps' Air Station in Okinawa from the transfer of some Marines to Guam. The Marines will move to Guam ahead of the stalled base relocation.

Noda is scheduled to visit Okinawa on February 26th and 27th and meet with Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima. It will be the prime minister's first visit since he assumed office last September.

Noda is expected to suggest ways to lighten Okinawa's burden of hosting the bulk of US military bases in Japan. He hopes to resolve the problem of the Futenma air field's location in a crowded residential area in Ginowan City.

Noda is also to apologize for an indiscreet comment by the former head of the defense ministry's bureau in Okinawa regarding the Futenma issue.

The prime minister is considering visiting a site where Japanese and US troops fought a fierce battle toward the end of World War Two, noting that it is necessary to learn about the suffering that the people of Okinawa have experienced.

News credit: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120214_25.html

Image credit: http://www.periodistadigital.com/imagenes/2012/02/13/4275343w_560x280.jpg