The 2006 road map on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan was reached through complex negotiations and should not be changed unilaterally by either Tokyo or Washington, the commander of U.S. Forces in Japan told reporters Thursday.
Recent polls have indicated the Democratic Party of Japan could seize power in the Aug. 30 Lower House election. As the DPJ has already hinted it would review the realignment process, the prospect of the largest opposition party winning the poll has raised concern in some quarters that a DPJ-led government could cancel the 2006 agreement.
Lt. Gen. Edward A. Rice declined comment on the possibility of a DPJ-led government, but he did point out the 2006 agreement, which includes the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, was reached through difficult political negotiations.