U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates urged Japan on Tuesday to stick with its agreements on relocating the functions of the Futenma air base in Okinawa Prefecture.
In talks with Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada in Tokyo, Gates said it is important that the new administration led by the Democratic Party of Japan delivers on the promises made by previous administrations, a Foreign Ministry official said.
Calling the plan to keep Futenma's operations within Okinawa the only feasible measure, the Pentagon chief urged Tokyo to reach a conclusion soon, the official said.