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TOKYO : US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has commended Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's decision to keep the US base on Okinawa.
Mr Hatoyama ended months of speculation on Sunday when he announced that the Futenma airbase would be moved to another part of the island.
The decision may not go down well with the Okinawans, but the tensions on the Korean peninsular could ease the pressure on the Japanese leader.
Japan has vowed to work closely with South Korea, the US and China to deal with the tensions building up on the Korean peninsula.
Since North Korea conducted nuclear and missile tests, Tokyo has imposed a number of sanctions against North Korea - there are total travel bans, a ban on trade and North Korean ships are barred from entering Japanese ports.
There is nothing more Japan can do. However, analysts said there are other actions Japan can take to support South Korea and the international community.
Masashi Nishihara, president, Research Institute for Peace and Security, said: "Japan can also watch North Korean related people who are living in Japan, and their activities."
Japan's pacifist constitution limits what it can do in terms of military support. But by utilising its maritime and air defence forces, Tokyo can gather information and provide its friends with intelligence.
The Korean tensions have given Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama some leeway to resolve one of his most controversial tasks - the relocation of the Futenma Air Base in Okinawa.
After weeks of speculation as to where the base would go, Mr Hatoyama made clear on Sunday that the US marines would remain on Okinawa, but will be shifted nearer to the coastal area of Henoko.
Nishihara said: "Mr Hatoyama in the past said he has to pay more attention to the wishes of the people. Now he's shifted his position to argue that Okinawa's deterrence capability or functions can be more important. This issue of Korean peninsula has helped Mr Hatoyama very much."
US Marines can play a big role in the security of East Asia - supporting South Korean military, and evacuating US and other foreign citizens in the event of insurgency. And Okinawa is the best location from where the US forces can make their way.
- CNA/al
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