The surprise decision by Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi to hold the main event of next year's Group of Eight summit in Okinawa apparently reflects the desire of the central government to improve ties with the prefecture under Gov. Keiichi Inamine.
Inamine was elected Okinawa governor in November with the backing of the Liberal Democratic Party, which Obuchi heads, by defeating Masahide Ota, whose relations with Tokyo had been chilled by his campaign to reduce the U.S. military presence in the prefecture.
During a news conference, Inamine said that he was "moved" by the state's decision to pick Nago as the venue for the meeting of the G8 heads of state. He said Obuchi told him of the decision by telephone around 9:30 a.m. Thursday -- shortly before it was officially announced in Tokyo.