All papers except Asahi reported on remarks made at the Diet yesterday by Prime Minister Abe, in which he suggested that he is ready to hold talks this week with Okinawa Governor Tamaki, who plans to visit Tokyo on Friday in the hope of briefing the premier on the results of the recent referendum on the FRF construction off Camp Schwab. The premier reportedly commented on the referendum by saying: “We must prevent Futenma Air Station from becoming a permanent fixture. We will complete the construction of a new base in Henoko.”

In a related story, Mainichi reported on press remarks made yesterday by Defense Minister Iwaya regarding the agreement reached on Feb. 18, 2014, between PM Abe and then Okinawa Governor Nakaima to end Futenma operations in five years. The defense chief said the two sides need to negotiate a new timeline for the closure of the Marine installation.