TOKYO, March 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Japan will conclude an agreement with the United States early next month on U.S. forces' realignment in Japan in spite of local opposition, Kyodo News reported on Tuesday.

    The plans include building a new airfield within Okinawa Prefecture to relocate a U.S. Marine Corps base and stepping up joint operations between Japanese and U.S. forces.

    The government is to send Defense Agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga and Foreign Minister Taro Aso to the United States for security talks with their U.S. counterparts on April 1 and 2, Kyodo quoted government sources as saying.

    Japanese media said the move reflects the facts that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's government cares more about the happiness of the United States than about local opinion and does not fear igniting further anger from areas to be affected by the relocation plans.

    Residents in base-hosting areas have strongly criticized the government for reaching the accord without consulting them in advance. In the last two month, local residents rallied for several times to protest the realignment plans. Enditem