BBC News Online: World: Far East

Japan promises to help Okinawa's economy

The Japanese prime minister, Ryutaro Hashimoto, has promised to continue efforts to revive the economy on the island of Okinawa.

Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the end of American occupation of the island, Mr Hashimoto acknowledged that Okinawa enjoyed much lower prosperity than the rest of Japan.

He also said Japan would share more fairly with Okinawa the burden of hosting U.S. military bases.

Correspondents say many Okinawans boycotted the anniversary celebrations in protest at what they perceive to be American and Japanese reluctance to reduce the U.S. military presence on the island.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service