YOKO HANI Staff writer
Okinawa Prefecture's announcement Monday of a new site for heliport functions of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station marked a significant step in the government's efforts to solve the long-standing matter, a key issue facing Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's administration.
With the summit of the Group of Eight major nations slated to be held next July in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture -- the very site picked for the relocation -- Obuchi has been under pressure to quickly settle the relocation issue.