The planned transfer of 8,000 US marines to Guam has been discussed by American Samoa's member of the US Congress, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, and Japanese leaders during a trip to Japan last week.
As chairman of the US Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, Faleomavaega visited Japan to hold talks on US-Japan relations.
Much of the discussion focussed on the planned relocation of American troops from the current US base on Okinawa to a new base on that island, as well as to Guam.
Since last year's electoral victory by Japan's Democratic Party, the US-Japan relationship has come under strain over the troop relocation, threatening to derail plans for the Guam move.
Faleomavaega says the relocation has important economic, social and environmental implications for Guam, as well as for many in the region seeking jobs created by the establishment of planned facilities.
The congressman says he is closely following developments over the base issues affecting Okinawa and Guam and will hold an oversight hearing on these matters in the near future.
