Japan's new PM says to honor pact on U.S. base relocation

Naoto Kan speaks to journalists during a news conference at the Democratic Party of Japan's headquarters in Tokyo June 4, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

Japan's new Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Tuesday that he will adhere to the recent Japan-U.S. accord to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station within Okinawa Prefecture.

At his first press conference as premier at the prime minister' s office, Kan said he will maintain the Japan-U.S. alliance as the cornerstone of Japan's foreign policies and strengthen relations with Asian and other countries.

Concerning the nation's economic and social security issues, the new premier pledged to rebuild its economy, finances and social security systems and make them "strong" altogether through a growth strategy featuring green technologies.

It is also his aim to build a society that "minimizes factors that make people unhappy at home and around the world," said Kan.

"I want to rebuild Japan fundamentally and make it a more spirited country," he said.

Kan was elected Friday as Japan's 94th prime minister in the two-chamber Diet two days after Hatoyama's resignation over such issues as the U.S. Futenma base and political fund scandals, which sent his public support rate plunging below 20 percent.

The new premier will attend an attestation ceremony at the Imperial Palace later in the day, at which his Cabinet will be officially sworn in later in the day.

Source: Xinhua