Staff writer

GINOWAN, Okinawa Pref. -- Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto arrived here Friday to announce new industry promotion measures for the prefecture to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Okinawa's 1972 return from the United States to Japan.

"We must pave a new way for Okinawa to develop toward the next century. This ceremony is being held especially to commemorate a firm new starting point for Okinawa," Hashimoto said in an address during the ceremony. Acknowledging that Japan's "lack of understanding" placed the overwhelming military burden of the Japanese-U.S. Security Treaty on Okinawa, Hashimoto reiterated that his government will continue to do its best to realign and reduce U.S. military bases, as agreed last December by the Japan-U.S. Special Action Committee.

But Hashimoto also sought local support for the proposed construction of a sea-based facility off of the northern city of Nago to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station from Ginowan, in accordance with the SACO agreement. "Considering the need of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, I would like local people to understand that (the construction of an offshore heliport) is the most realistic option we could present," Hashimoto said.

For Okinawa to take advantage of its geographic and cultural aspects, Hashimoto said his government attaches greater importance to promote such industries as processing trade, tourism and communications, and to facilitating exchanges in international research and technology to nurture these industries in Okinawa. Hashimoto then promised to set up a free-trade-zone system, take necessary tax measures to boost business investment, help launch duty-free shops, form an international exchange hub and nurture potential employees by improving and creating relevant institutions.

By next spring, Hashimoto said, his government will draw up an "Okinawa economic promotion 21st century plan" to systematize key policies and put the local economy on its own two feet. An extraordinary minister on Okinawa promotion will be assigned to collectively appropriate the necessary budget, he said.

In his talk with reporters following the ceremony, Hashimoto was asked whether the economic promotion package was proposed to generate local support for construction of the offshore heliport. He said "it's sad" that reporters try to interpret his effort as this type of deal.

Meanwhile, Okinawa Gov. Masahide Ota expressed his gratitude for Hashimoto's efforts during his talk with reporters shortly afterward.