WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2010

KLMNO

by Malcolm Foster

tokyo — Japan’s prime min- ister said for the first time Tues- day that at least part of a key U.S. military base will remain on the southern island of Okinawa, a move that could reduce tension with Washington but dent his sinking popularity and raise the ire of island residents. A dispute over the relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futen-

ma has become the focal point of U.S.-Japan ties since Yukio Ha- toyama took office last Septem- ber promising to move the base off Okinawa — contrary to a 2006 agreement with Washington that called for it to be moved to a less crowded, northern part of the is- land.

But on his first visit to Okinawa as prime minister, Hatoyama conceded that it would be diffi- cult, if not impossible, to move Futenma’s facilities off the island,

which hosts more than half the 47,000 U.S. troops stationed in Ja- pan under a security pact. Hatoyama essentially acknowl-

edged that his government has been unable to come up with any viable alternatives to Nago, the proposed relocation site in the north, and is shifting back toward the 2006 plan. “Realistically speaking, it is im- possible,” he said, wearing a tra- ditional Okinawan short-sleeved shirt. “We have reached a conclu-

sion that it is difficult to relocate all of Futenma’s functions out- side the country or the island be- cause of a need to maintain deter- rence under the Japan-U.S. alli- ance.” Hatoyama’s backtracking is

likely to drag down his public ap- proval ratings, which have fallen to about 20 percent amid a politi- cal funding scandal and accusa- tions of lack of leadership, and could hurt his party’s prospects in July’s upper house elections.

R

Japanese premier backtracks on moving Okinawa base

The prime minister, who had

set an end-of-May deadline for a final decision on Futenma, asked for residents’ understanding in keeping some of the base’s func- tions on Okinawa, while possibly moving other functions off the is- land — a division that the United States would probably find unac- ceptable. “We must ask the people of

Okinawa to share the burden,” he said, adding that he “felt sorry” about the message he brought.

The World

A11

In Washington, State Depart- ment spokesman P.J. Crowley said the United States and Japan will continue an intensive evalua- tion of the best way to maintain U.S. operations and to keep the alliance strong. He declined to comment on specific options for the base. Okinawan residents have long complained about base-related noise, pollution and crime. Late last month, about 90,000 people gathered to demand that Futen- ma be moved off the island en- tirely.

— Associated Press

on our

“in”

“in”for her

get

SALE

TODAY–SUNDAY

WOMEN’S FASHION CLEARANCE: SAVE 40%–75%* SPRING MUST-HAVE FASHIONS: TAKE 30% OFF* SHOES&SANDALS:SAVE25%–30% FINE JEWELRY: TAKE 50% OFF**

“in”for him

when you take an extra 30% off almost all permanently reduced items. a regular-price selection from the designer names you love. off regular and original prices on a selection from your favorite names. regular prices on a selection of gold, diamond, semi-precious and cultured pearl jewelry.

MEN’S FASHION CLEARANCE: SAVE 50%–70%*

“in”for home

when you take an extra 40%–50% off almost all permanently reduced items.

BED&BATHESSENTIALS: SAVE 20%–40%

on a great selection of pro kitchen equipment.

on a great selection of regular-price sheets and bedding collections, including designer; plus all towels, comforters and pillows.

KITCHEN ELECTRICS & COOKWARE: SAVE 20%–40% FURNITURE, MATTRESSES & RUGS: SAVE 30%–65%

on a large selection of furniture, plus all mattresses and all handmade Oriental and Karastan rugs.

Savings off regular, original and already-reduced prices for home.

TAKE 15%OFF WHEN YOUOPENABLOOMINGDALE’S ACCOUNT AND GETEXTRA SAVINGSONALMOST EVERYPURCHASEDURINGTHISENTIRESALE.†

Sale ends May 9, 2010. *Certain designer and brand exclusions apply; see sales associate for details. Excludes Women’s New View Designer and Designer Collections, Women’s leased departments and Women’s Swimwear. **Excludes Designer Fine Jewelry, Fine Watches and Bridal Collection. †

15%new accountdiscountof fer ends May9,2010, subject to credit approval.Exclusionsand limitationsapply; seeInsider pamphlet ataregisteroraskasales associatefor complete details. Maximumsavings on furnitureis$250.00;mat tressesis$100.00. Reg./Orig.

prices reflectof fering prices.Savingsmay notbebased on actual sales.Intermediatemarkdowns mayhavebeentaken. Savings of f regular, original and already-reduced prices. Some items may be included in sales already in progress or in future sales. Some items are great values. No adjustments to prior purchases. Quantities may be limited; not all styles in all stores; colors vary by store. No home items or luggage at Soho, Beverly Center and Nor th Michigan Avenue. No home items except for luggage at Bridgewater. No furniture except living room seating andoccasionaltablesatWillowbrookMall. Furnitureand mat tresses notatWaltWhitman Mall or ShortHills. Furniture, mat tresses andrugsnot at Soho, BridgewaterCommons,Lenox Square,Nor th Michigan Avenue andMallofAmerica.Furniture andrugsnot at OldOrchard Center and California;mat tressesnow available at CenturyCity, Newpor t FashionIsland, ShermanOaksand South CoastPlaza.Furniture andmat tressesmustbedelivered fromour centralwarehouse;deliveryfeesapply.Aneditedhomeselectionavailable at ChevyChase.Nofashion at Oakbrook Center,Medinah Temple or LasVegas.Prices, savingsand selectionmay dif fer on bloomingdales.com. Rugs notavailable online.

PLEASE VISIT BLOOMINGDALES.COM OR CALL STORES FOR HOURS. CHEVY CHASE, 5300 WESTERN AVENUE, MARYLAND, 240-744-3700 • WHITE FLINT MALL, KENSINGTON, 301-984-4600 TYSONS CORNER CENTER, MCLEAN, 703-556-4600 Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58