Hatoyama says he can't say if base issue will be settled by year-end

Sunday 22nd November, 06:25 AM JST

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tigerguy at 09:59 AM JST - 22nd November

I bet you that LDP would've had it solved by now. We need the US presence in Japan, noone will dare attack..
Sarge at 10:42 AM JST - 22nd November

The dithering continues!
Wolfpack at 10:45 AM JST - 22nd November

PM Hatoyama made a huge mistake by creating high expectations for changing the Futenma agreement. He is showing a lack of fortitude to press the issue with the U.S. and looks weak. He is going to have to get Obama to make at least some face-saving change or he will suffer a decline in popular support.
cactusJack at 11:17 AM JST - 22nd November

Hatoyama's approval rating will just decline from now on...like all the others before him.
Scrote at 11:55 AM JST - 22nd November

It won't be settled because Hatoyama has failed to provide any alternatives to the current plan.
mindovermatter at 12:07 PM JST - 22nd November

I am for increased US military presence in Japan. Enough of this dilly dallying.

Absolutely!

Too Late...! Here's another 50,000 Marines just back over-extended combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and suffering from extreme psychological stress disorder...! We will give them each a car and a bottle of Tequila when they arrive...

Have a good time!
sabiwabi at 12:27 PM JST - 22nd November

There is no valid reason for any foreign military base in Japan. Tell them all to go home already.
the_sicilian at 01:18 PM JST - 22nd November

Sabiwabi: If we forget history, we are doomed to repeat it. Hatoyama will not get reelected because of this, and he may step down because of it.
M51T at 01:29 PM JST - 22nd November

From a purely political point of view, the Hatoyama government has been indecisive in a climate that needs leadership and decisiveness. It seems they are simply testing US resolve.
smithinjapan at 01:39 PM JST - 22nd November

sarge: "The dithering continues!"

You cut and pasted the sound-bite in the wrong thread. I AM happy you learned a new word, though.

I'm actually with Wolfpack on this -- Hatoyama made a huge mistake in his pompous claims that he's going to change things.

Hatoyama: I want some change!

US: No. Get moving on the deal we promised, now!

Hatoyama: Trust me (wink).

Japan: What? You said you would go against the US and change the plans.

Hatoyama: Errr.... I can't say if things will be settled.

US: What?? Will they or won't they?

Hatoyama: I'm going to push to resolve this quickly.... but... ummm... can't say if they will be resolved quickly.
billj2000 at 08:19 AM JST - 23rd November

I think it is time for us-the US to move out of Japan and utilize our military resources better elsewhere. Like the Mexican border. It would be a shame though, because some of the best leave I ever had in the Navy while cursing Asia was in Japan. After all the cutest women in Asia is in Japan in my opinion. But I do not believe Japan will try to take over the world again. At least in a military fashion.
sbg711 at 08:53 PM JST - 23rd November

I'd applaud to Hatoyama if only he'd be a bit more straightforward. His intentions are pretty obvious, however it's still questionable whether he'll succeed with such a pinpointed strategy.
YuriOtani at 11:47 PM JST - 23rd November

Something has to be done, this has to be settled one way or another. So I say to Hatoyama sanma to grow a spine and dictate to the Americans to remove the MCAS Futenma base and all of the Marines from Okinawa. Japan is a sovereign country and increasing American forces against the will of the Japanese people is called an invasion. Perhaps it is time to ask for sanctions against America by the United Nations.
Sarge at 11:55 PM JST - 23rd November

"Perhaps it is time to ask for sanctions against America by the United Nations"

Hee hee! Yes, that would solve a lot of problems, including the problem of the whiners whining about Futenma!
perspective at 01:38 PM JST - 24th November

Gotta love YuriOtani - he really tells it like it ain't.