Talks between the United States and Japan on the realignment of U.S. military forces in Japan are "very hard work" but will result in a stronger alliance, the U.S. military's top officer in Japan said on Monday. Tokyo and Washington agreed earlier this month to issue a report on the proposed redeployment of U.S. troops in Japan around September. The discussions, concerning plans by the United States to transform its military globally and the effect on the nearly 50,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan, have been complicated by Japanese internal wrangling over the location of bases. "Very busy. Very hard work, and very good leadership with that hard work," Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright said when asked how the discussions were going. "The talks will result in a stronger alliance," Wright was quoted as saying by Reuters at an event for young U.S. military personnel in Japan. He added that the report in the autumn would allow "at least a progress update on how well the talks are going." Japanese Defense Minister Yoshinori Ohno, speaking at the same event, referred to the discussions as a "big problem." "The realignment will forecast the relationship between the United States and Japan for 100 years to come," Ohno added. "I hope the problem between us will be solved satisfactorily to both sides," he said.
