Statement by Charge James P. Zumwalt on Diet Ratification of the U.S.-Japan Accord on Marine Transfer to Guam

May 13, 2009

The United States Embassy welcomes the Diet’s ratification of the Agreement on the Relocation of United States Marine Corps from Okinawa to Guam signed by Secretary of State Clinton and Foreign Minister Nakasone on February 17, 2009. This is a significant step towards the full implementation of the May 1, 2006 Realignment Roadmap. The United States Government remains committed to completing the realignment package, including the relocation of 8,000 U.S. Marines and their dependents from Okinawa to Guam.