<p>The prime minister faced angry protests during a visit to Okinawa from residents who had hoped to see the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station moved off the southern island.<br /><br />Hatoyama met with the Okinawa governor and apologised for breaking his election promise to relocate the base.<br /><br />"I apologise to people in Okinawa as I could not keep to my word that I'll relocate the base off the prefecture," Hatoyama said in a meeting with Okinawa governor Hirokazu Nakaima shown on television.<br /><br />The island hosts the majority of the US troops and military bases in Japan. <br /><br />"After holding a number of talks within Japan and with the United States, I reached the conclusion that I have to ask Okinawans about relocating the Futenma base within Okinawa -- specifically speaking, in the Henoko district," in a quiet coastal area of the island, Hatoyama told Nakaima.<br /><br />A grim-faced governor replied: "I cannot help but say that the plan of relocating to Henoko is very regrettable and very difficult."<br /><br />Hundreds of people protested outside the prefecture building, holding banners saying "We are angry" and some chanting "Hatoyama go home!"</p>
<p>The prime minister faced angry protests during a visit to Okinawa from residents who had hoped to see the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station moved off the southern island.<br /><br />Hatoyama met with the Okinawa governor and apologised for breaking his election promise to relocate the base.<br /><br />"I apologise to people in Okinawa as I could not keep to my word that I'll relocate the base off the prefecture," Hatoyama said in a meeting with Okinawa governor Hirokazu Nakaima shown on television.<br /><br />The island hosts the majority of the US troops and military bases in Japan. <br /><br />"After holding a number of talks within Japan and with the United States, I reached the conclusion that I have to ask Okinawans about relocating the Futenma base within Okinawa -- specifically speaking, in the Henoko district," in a quiet coastal area of the island, Hatoyama told Nakaima.<br /><br />A grim-faced governor replied: "I cannot help but say that the plan of relocating to Henoko is very regrettable and very difficult."<br /><br />Hundreds of people protested outside the prefecture building, holding banners saying "We are angry" and some chanting "Hatoyama go home!"</p>
