He says the demilitarization of Okinawa is crucial to a peaceful East Asia in the future.
OKINAWA, Japan's most southerly and poorest prefecture, is home to three-quarters of the country's American bases.
The men, who were in Okinawa on the way to Guam, will be sentenced on Friday.
The US bases some 26, 000 troops on Okinawa under a long-standing security alliance with Japan.
America did not return Okinawa's sovereignty to Japan until 1972, and feelings of second-class citizenship linger.
At the same time, it will reduce the impact on local communities, like Okinawa.
The Japanese Prime Minister expressed the hope that the Okinawa summit would endorse the statement.
But he made no pledges about the Okinawa base row that brought down his predecessor.
The islands, which are controlled by Japan, lie south of Okinawa and north of Taiwan.
It is taking place off Okinawa, north of islands both Japan and China claim.
For Okinawa, they feel, April 28 is a day of national and, particularly, local shame and dishonor.
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The US bases some 26, 000 troops on Okinawa, where there is opposition to the ongoing military presence.
So the Okinawa outrage became an opportunity for them to re-examine their dependence on a foreign power.
In 1971, America and Japan signed an agreement for the return of Okinawa to Japan in 1972.
The physical movements of the performers evoke those of a pythoness at traditional rituals of ancient Okinawa.
By allowing the troops to remain in, rather than off, Okinawa, Inamine hopes to boost the island's economy.
Back in Tokyo, Mr Hashimoto's party and its coalition partners have roughed out an eight-point plan for Okinawa.
The US bases some 26, 000 troops on Okinawa under the terms of a long-standing security alliance with Japan.
They were placed under American administration in accordance with Article 3 of the same treaty, along with Okinawa.
On Thursday Japanese fighters were also dispatched from Okinawa after Chinese military planes were seen in the area.
Shiokawa's father fought during World War II, and died on Okinawa less than a year after Shiokawa was born.
The two met in 1990 while serving in the military in Okinawa, Japan.
Forward-deployed U.S. forces in South Korea, Okinawa and Guam also contribute to security in Asia.
He spent three years in Okinawa before he came back to the States.
The Americans have about 50, 000 troops in Japan, about half stationed on Okinawa.
Given their mounting frustrations, the normally easy-going natives of Okinawa could turn a good deal nastier than anyone thinks.
After the prefectural government, America is one of Okinawa's biggest employers, providing good livelihoods for some 8, 000 local inhabitants.
Two US troops have been arrested over the alleged rape of a Japanese woman on the island of Okinawa.
As a price for hosting military bases, Tokyo traditionally dished out generous public works spending to prop up Okinawa.
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