Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and Okinawa Gov.-elect Keiichi Inamine agreed Tuesday to work closely on issues weighing on the island prefecture, including the regional economy and reorganization of U.S. military bases.

During a meeting at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, the two agreed to resume a policy dialogue that has been stalled for nearly a year, with plans to resume talks as early as Dec. 11, one day after Inamine assumes office. Policy discussions on the region's various issues, including the deadlock over relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station, are likely to begin moving forward under the new LDP-backed governor.

In February, incumbent Okinawa Gov. Masahide Ota announced his opposition to the central government's plan to build a sea-based heliport off Nago, about 50 km northeast of the Okinawan capital of Naha, to take over Futenma's heliport functions. The decision prompted Tokyo into a protracted wait-and-see position.