Okinawa assembly head asks Obama in letter to scrap Futenma plan

Okinawa assembly head asks Obama in letter to scrap Futenma plan

NAHA, Japan - Zenshin Takamine (L), chairman of the Okinawa prefectural assembly, hands U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos a letter calling for scrapping a plan to transfer the Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station within the prefecture in Naha on June 21, 2010. Takamine said in the letter addressed to U.S. President Barack Obama that 90 percent of residents in the prefecture are opposed to the plan.

Okada stresses U.S. Marines' role in Japan's defense

Okada stresses U.S. Marines' role in Japan's defense

TOKYO, Japan - Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada (R) receives a request from Zenshin Takamine (L), chairman of the Okinawa prefectural assembly, at his ministry on April 27, 2010, on relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. Takamine led the Okinawa delegation which had taken part in a mass rally April 25 to seek the removal of the Futemma base out of the prefecture.

Defense minister in Okinawa

Defense minister in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa (2nd from L) holds talks with Okinawa Prefectural Assembly Chairman Zenshin Takamine (R, front) in Naha on March 25, 2010. Takamine repeated a call on the government to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station outside Okinawa.

Defense minister in Okinawa

Defense minister in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa attends a meeting with Okinawa Prefectural Assembly Chairman Zenshin Takamine in Naha on March 25, 2010. Takamine repeated a call on the government to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station outside Okinawa.

Okinawa assembly head asks Obama in letter to scrap Futenma plan

Okinawa assembly head asks Obama in letter to scrap Futenma plan

NAHA, Japan - Zenshin Takamine (L), chairman of the Okinawa prefectural assembly, hands U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos a letter calling for scrapping a plan to transfer the Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station within the prefecture in Naha on June 21, 2010. Takamine said in the letter addressed to U.S. President Barack Obama that 90 percent of residents in the prefecture are opposed to the plan. (Kyodo)

Okada stresses U.S. Marines' role in Japan's defense

Okada stresses U.S. Marines' role in Japan's defense

TOKYO, Japan - Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada (R) receives a request from Zenshin Takamine (L), chairman of the Okinawa prefectural assembly, at his ministry on April 27, 2010, on relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. Takamine led the Okinawa delegation which had taken part in a mass rally April 25 to seek the removal of the Futemma base out of the prefecture. (Kyodo)

Defense minister in Okinawa

Defense minister in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa (2nd from L) holds talks with Okinawa Prefectural Assembly Chairman Zenshin Takamine (R, front) in Naha on March 25, 2010. Takamine repeated a call on the government to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station outside Okinawa. (Kyodo)

Defense minister in Okinawa

Defense minister in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa attends a meeting with Okinawa Prefectural Assembly Chairman Zenshin Takamine in Naha on March 25, 2010. Takamine repeated a call on the government to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station outside Okinawa. (Kyodo)