New Okinawa Development Agency chief Ryutaro Hashimoto said Monday that he raised Okinawa's demand in a meeting with U.S. Ambassador Thomas Foley that a 15-year limit be imposed on the U.S. military's use of a new airport to be built in the prefecture.
"The Japanese government has conveyed voices from the local governments" in talks with U.S. officials, Hashimoto told reporters after the talks. "I agree with the idea, so I raised the 15-year limit in the meeting."
Foley did not comment on the issue, Hashimoto said. Washington is opposed to any time limit.