Naoto Kan, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, said Saturday his party will urge the United States to move the U.S. Marines out of Okinawa Prefecture if his party wins control of the government after the Nov. 9 general election.
"Security in the Far East can be maintained without U.S. bases in Okinawa and the marines stationed there. We are considering having them moved out of Japan," Kan said in a news conference in Naha.
He is currently visiting Okinawa as part of the party's campaign for the House of Representatives election.
Kan also said the DPJ would appoint a Cabinet minister in charge of Okinawa issues, such as the consolidation and reduction of U.S. military forces in Okinawa and regional development measures.