The chasm within the ruling coalition grew deeper Tuesday as Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama expressed dissatisfaction over a visit by Social Democratic Party chief Mizuho Fukushima to Okinawa.
Fukushima, who vocally opposes Hatoyama's plan to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within the prefecture, met Tuesday with Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima and local officials to exchange opinions on the contentious issue.
"For (Fukushima) to make the visit now as a member of the Cabinet is questionable," Hatoyama said. "But it may be inevitable considering her position as the head of the SDP."