Japan and the United States issued a joint statement Friday on the relocation of a U.S. Marine Corps base in Okinawa, saying that the airbase will be moved to the Henoko coast, Nago City within the prefecture, basically in line with an existing accord struck in 2006.

The statement was issued after an agreement was made in the two-plus-two, meaning the United States-Japan Security Consultative Committee (SCC) consisting of defense and foreign ministers of the two countries for discussing security matters.

"The United States reiterated its unwavering commitment to Japan's security. Japan reconfirmed its commitment to playing a positive role in contributing to the peace and stability of the region," the statement said.

The ministers confirmed their commitment to implement steadily the realignment initiatives described in the May 1, 2006 agreement on relocation of the base, and reaffirmed the consolidation and return of most of the facilities south of Kadena to Guam, according to the statement.

The two sides also confirmed the intention to locate the replacement facility at the Camp Schwab Henoko-saki area and adjacent waters, with the runway portions of the facility to be 1, 800 meters long, it said.

Responding to the concerns of the people of Okinawa, the statement said concrete measures should be taken in areas of environment, noise reduction at Kadena, training areas, shared use of facilities, etc.

"The ministers reaffirmed the commitment to reducing the impact on local communities, including in Okinawa, thereby preserving a sustainable U.S. military presence in Japan," the statement said.

On environment, the two countries will discuss the potential to take a "Green Alliance" approach to the bases, which would consider ways to introduce renewable energy technology into U.S. bases in Japan and under development in Guam.

They intend to study chances to expand the shared use of facilities between U.S. forces and the Self-Defense Forces of Japan.

To reduce noise at the Kadena airbase, Japan and the United States agreed to expand training outside Okinawa.

The two countries agreed to intensify the ongoing bilateral security dialogue to address traditional security threats as well as focus on new areas for cooperation, according to the joint statement.

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