Okinawa Times and Ryukyu Shimpo reported on remarks made to the press on Friday by Defense Minister Inada, during which she commented on the U.S. military’s explanation that the U.S. and Japan agreed at a Joint Committee meeting in 2009 to the continued use of the Navy ramp at Kadena AB. The papers quoted Inada as saying: “Our understanding is different from that of the U.S. military. It is not true that there is an agreement between the U.S. and Japan.” Ryukyu Shimpo wrote in an editorial that the GOJ should publicize the minutes of the Joint Committee meeting to clarify whether such an agreement exists.