Tokyo - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Tokyo Tuesday with the US base on Okinawa and the war in Afghanistan on the agenda of his talks with the new Japanese government. "The alliance between our countries remains the cornerstone of US security policy," Gates said.
At a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada both pointed to the importance of the security alliance, the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported.
A agreement reached between Tokyo and Washington in 2006 plans moving the controversial Futemma US Marine base on the island of Okinawa out of the city of Ginowan to a less heavily populated region on the west of the island to minimize the burden on the local population.
Some politicians from the parties in Japan's ruling coalition want the base moved to the mainland or out of the country completely.
Gates has, however, indicated in the run-up to the talks that Washington does not want to renegotiate the agreement.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's government, which came to office in September, wants to end Japan's alleged dependence bordering on subservience in the US's foreign policy and is seeking more equality in relations with its ally.
Gates' talks with Hatoyama and Defence Minister Toshimi Kitazawa on Wednesday are due to be followed by US President Barack Obama's visit planned for mid-November.
The intention of Hatoyama's government to end its logistical support for the US-led war operations in Afghanistan was also likely to feature in the talks.
At present Japan helps refuel US ships in the Indian Ocean. Japan's pacifist constitution rules out any involvement in the fighting in Afghanistan.
The Japanese government does not want to extend the legal authorization for the deployment which is due to expire in January.
Instead Japan wants to be involved in the rebuilding of Afghanistan.
