Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero is currently in Okinawa, Japan, receiving her second round of updates on the Marine Corps relocation to Guam, the Office of the Governor stated Monday.
Leon Guerrero flew to Japan at the invitation of Maj. Gen. Brian Wolford, commander of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, her office added.
She was expected to meet with Denny Tamaki, Okinawa’s governor, and participate in meetings with Marine Corps officials, which includes an aerial tour of Okinawa.
A posting on the governor’s Instagram page on Monday showed her meeting with Tamaki.
“Together, they discussed the ongoing military relocation projects, economic opportunities, and strengthening cultural and tourism exchanges between Guam and Okinawa. They also shared perspectives on sustainability challenges facing both island communities,” the posting stated.
“This partnership reaffirms the deep historical and cultural ties between Guam and Okinawa and our shared commitment to collaboration for the future,” the posting added.
Another posting showed her meeting with Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa. The meeting was to discuss ongoing military activities in the region and the relocation to Guam, the post stated.
“They reaffirmed the shared commitment to Guam’s defense posture, which remains a top priority of the U.S. Department of Defense,” the post added.
Leon Guerrero is expected back Thursday.
The U.S. and Japan agreed in 2012 to move thousands of Marines out of Okinawa, including about 5,000 to Guam. This movement initiated in December, when a detachment of about 100 logistics support Marines from the III Marine Expeditionary Force began relocating from Okinawa to Guam.
Currently, there are still about 100 Marines on Guam.
The ongoing buildup to host the relocation has been a controversial topic, involving issues that include environmental, cultural, and socio-economic concerns.
A significant amount of U.S. federal dollars has gone into and continues to support the military buildup, which plays a role in the current legislative debate over a possible reduction of the local Business Privilege Tax.
“One of the best contributions that is being made by the military is through the payment of business privilege taxes through all the military construction and military service contracts,” Acting Gov. Josh Tenorio said Monday morning.
“Contractors and subcontractors include that in their base prices and bids. Those are paid for by the military, and I just wish the Legislature would consider that we’re cutting off a major revenue source coming in to the people of Guam as a result of the military buildup. I know the Legislature hasn’t … completed the budget discussions. I hope some of the legislators will start thinking about that,” Tenorio added.
AloJapan.com