Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara on Monday asked Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi to take steps to achieve one of his most important election pledges: the return of Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo or its joint use by airlines.
Ishihara, a former Liberal Democratic Party Diet member, also asked his old political comrade to help ease Tokyo's huge revenue shortfalls by drastically reviewing the tax system or take emergency measures so more revenue sources and authority are placed in the hands of local governments.
After the meeting, Obuchi told reporters he will study the request later because he has just received it, avoiding further commitment.