Japan asks for new policy on Okinawa

Foreign minister Tanaka's talks with U.S. officials were dominated by the security relationship

By CNN State Department Producer
Elise Labott

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Japan's foreign minister has asked the United States to reconsider its position on keeping troops at the Okinawa military base, the U.S. State Department said Monday.

The request came during a meeting between U.S. secretary of state Colin Powell and Japanese foreign minister Makiko Tanaka, in which the security relationship between the two countries dominated the agenda.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Monday that the two reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japan relationship and that Powell told Tanaka to "always remember that the best friend of Japan is the United States."

But the presence of U.S. troops in Okinawa continues to be a sore spot for Japan.

The United States has close to 25,000 troops on the island, where they conduct training. Several incidents involving U.S. military personnel assaulting young women and girls have angered the Japanese public.

Boucher said Powell and Tanaka "discussed the strains that are caused by the (incidents) that occur with regard to ... the presence of troops in any location, including Japan."

"The secretary made quite clear that our goal is to have the smallest footprint possible that was consistent with a need to achieve the mission," Boucher said, but added that the mission has "created stability to the region" and was "consistent with the need for the troops to keep up their training."

Issue will go to the Pentagon

A senior State Department official said Tanaka asked if it would be possible for the United States to conduct some of its military training somewhere else. Powell said he would discuss that issue with the Pentagon, where the matter is being handled.

For its part, Powell said that the United States would welcome Japan taking a more active role in peacekeeping around the world.

Boucher said that Powell "welcomed their role in peacekeeping and encouraged them to take on whatever role they were prepared to assume in international affairs."

Tanaka told Powell that Japan "is currently debating what their future role should be," Boucher added.

Powell also addressed Japan's ailing economy, telling Tanaka that the United States would be closely watching newly elected Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's "very, very important" structural reforms.

Missile defense issue also discussed

The meeting also addressed U.S. plans to develop a national missile defense system.

Previous media reports quoted Tanaka as saying she "harbored suspicions" that the Bush administration's plans were tied to oil interests.

"Ms Tanaka said she understood the need for the United States to pursue this area, to conduct the research," Boucher said.

" The secretary made clear ... we would be going forward with a system, and we felt it was feasible."

Boucher said Tanaka also told Powell about Japan's plans to support the Kyoto Protocol, despite the U.S. decision to pursue alternative measures to address global warming.

But, added Boucher, Tanaka said she understood the U.S. position and "looked forward to hearing from the United States more and continuing their discussions with the United States about ... finding a better way to deal with a serious issue."

"It was a direct discussion between the two of them about the issues," Boucher said.

Tanaka also met national security adviser Condelezza Rice -- a session joined briefly by President Bush -- and with U.S. trade representative Robert Zoellick.