TOKYO: US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will tell Japanese leaders Tuesday they need to press ahead with the relocation of a controversial air base on a southern island.
The Pentagon chief was set to meet key figures in Tokyo, including prime minister Yoshihiko Noda, on the second leg of a tour of Asian allies where he has repeatedly stressed Washington's commitment to remaining a Pacific power.
Part of that engagement, he will tell Japanese officials, means moving ahead with the planned relocation of a marine air base on an island chain in the south that is home to around half of the nearly 50,000 US troops stationed in Japan.
A long-standing agreement between Washington and Tokyo was set to see the Futenma air base relocated from a crowded urban area to a rural coast by 2014.
But local objections to the move and policy flip-flopping by a former prime minister have stalled the plan, putting a distinct chill on relations between the long-time security allies.
Panetta will Tuesday tell senior administration figures that they must move forward with the scheme, which would also see around 8,000 US service personnel moved to Guam.
"I will make clear to them that we continue to support our commitment with Japan with regards to Futenma and with regards to Okinawa," he told reporters ahead of the trip.
"And my goal will be to ensure that steps are being taken to fulfil that commitment. That's important for both the United States and Japan to move forward and ensure that that agreement, the elements of that agreement, are met."
One thing he hoped to discuss was the level of progress the Japanese side expected on the issue by the end of the year, he added.
"I think that's very important that Japan proceed with obviously moving forward with Futenma, getting the appropriate permits that are required in order to develop that extension for the air base or that development for the air base to take place."
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