The central government is willing to help the Okinawa Prefectural Government map out the outlines of a multipurpose port in the prefecture's city of Urasoe, Defense Agency chief Hosei Norota said Tuesday.
Norota also told a regular news conference that Tokyo will seek U.S. "understanding" on condition that the planned port will be jointly used by U.S. forces and local businesses. "The move by Urasoe is a big step forward. (The government) welcomes and appreciates the city's understanding," he said.
The Urasoe Municipal Assembly adopted a statement Monday incorporating relocation of a U.S. military port to the city from the neighboring prefectural capital of Naha.
The statement demands that the new port not be used only for military purposes, and that the state take up the city's development plan as national policy.