US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R) meets with Japan's new Foreign Minister Taro Aso in Washington, December 2. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Japan's new Foreign Minister Taro Aso said here on Friday that adjustments will have to be made to a deal with the US military presence on Okinawa because of continuing local opposition.

    "I explained to Secretary Rice that it will be difficult to reach a final agreement, but certain adjustments need to be made because of local opposition, and she agreed," Aso said after holding talks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

    Aso, making his first visit to Washington, said Rice was "very aware of that fact that there was such opposition, and we agreed to continue our discussions on this issue."

    The two also discussed the UN Security Council reforms, Aso said.

    Japan and the United States reached a broad agreement in October on military cooperation that will reduce the number of US marines on Okinawa and give Tokyo greater responsibility for security in the Pacific area.

    Under the broad agreement, some 7,000 US marines will leave Okinawa for the US Pacific territory of Guam, but the process willtake as long as six years.

    Local residents on Okinawa have complained about crime, noise and environmental problems in connection with the US marines' presence. Enditem