Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga said Friday he plans to visit Okinawa Prefecture as early as next week to brief and gain the understanding of municipalities that host U.S. bases on government plans for the realignment of U.S. forces.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>'I would like to visit once the arrangements can be made, as early as next week,' Nukaga said at a news conference.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Japan and the United States agreed Oct. 29 on a set of realignment plans, including relocating bases and operations, as well as enhanced cooperation between U.S. forces and the Self-Defense Forces through joint use of facilities and more joint exercises.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Local communities affected by the realignment, especially in Okinawa, which hosts the bulk of U.S. forces in Japan, have voiced strong opposition to the plans and criticized the government for ignoring their opinions in concluding the agreement with Washington.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Japan and the U.S. hope to conclude a final agreement in March, by which point Tokyo must convince the localities to accept the plans.</PARAGRAPH> <SUBHEAD> Live-fire drills start</SUBHEAD> <PARAGRAPH> KOFU, Yamanashi Pref. –

The U.S. Marine Corps began a live-fire exercise Friday morning at the Self-Defense Forces training ground in Yamanashi Prefecture, the Yokohama Defense Facilities Administration Bureau said.

According to the bureau, about 180 marines from artillery units stationed in Okinawa Prefecture are participating in the exercise, which runs through Nov. 16 at the Kitafuji training ground.