US to discuss Okinawa concerns

The American Secretary of State, Colin Powell, has said the United States will have new talks to try to reduce the impact of US troops on the Japanese island of Okinawa.

Speaking during a brief visit to Tokyo, Mr Powell said the US ambassador to Japan would travel to Okinawa to discuss the issue.

Mr Powell said he wouldn't rule anything out, including a possible reduction in troop numbers.

There are currently 50,000 US troops in Japan.

The US presence on Okinawa has raised persistent concerns among local people - the most recent allegations against US servicemen include rape and vandalism.

Mr Powell said that while US personnel were occasionally involved in incidents, most of them met the highest standards of behaviour.

The Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, has called for greater discipline among American servicemen.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service