First Japan Funding for Guam Buildup Projects

2009POEA MARKET UPDATE NO. 11-09FIRST JAPAN FUNDING FOR GUAM BUILDUP PROJECTSInfrastructure projects in Andersen Air Force Base at Finegayan and Apra Harbor will be the first recipients of the $336 million pledged by Japan to support the military buildup projects in Guam. This is a significant step towards implementation of the realignment package. Tokyo's offer is in line with an accord committing Japan and the United States to follow through on the transfer of US marines from Okinawa to Guam in 2014. The agreement gives impetus to the 2006 Japan-U.S. agreement on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, commonly referred to as the "road map", that is meant to reduce the burden on the communities near the U.S. bases. The accord legally requires Tokyo to spend up to $2.8 billion on infrastructure projects to prepare the U.S. territory for the transfer of 8,000 Marines from Okinawa, a move that is expected to cost between $10-15 billion.The projects to be financed by the $336 million fund from Japan during fiscal year 2009 relative to the...