Japan's prime minister has reportedly delayed until next year a decision on the controversial relocation of a US military base on the southern island of Okinawa. The dispute over the future of the Futenma air base has strained ties between the two allies and trading partners, with the US hoping for a decision by the end of this year. According to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, Yukio Hatoyama, the Japanese prime minister, has deferred making the decision until May next year. The paper said Japan would go ahead with preparations to move the airbase but explore alternative relocation sites before making a decision among the three parties making up the ruling coalition.
Japan's prime minister has reportedly delayed until next year a decision on the controversial relocation of a US military base on the southern island of Okinawa.
The dispute over the future of the Futenma air base has strained ties between the two allies and trading partners, with the US hoping for a decision by the end of this year.
According to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, Yukio Hatoyama, the Japanese prime minister, has deferred making the decision until May next year.
The paper said Japan would go ahead with preparations to move the airbase but explore alternative relocation sites before making a decision among the three parties making up the ruling coalition.
