Authors: Jeanette Torres

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(TOKYO) -- The U.S. and Japan have reached an agreement to move 9,000 Marines off the southern island of Okinawa.
The proposal, which is part of the Obama administration's larger push to beef up security in Asia, was announced by both countries on Thursday.  Under the reworked deal, about 5,000 Marines will be sent to Guam, with the rest being spread out across Australia and Hawaii.
The new plan follows years of disagreements between the U.S. and Japan over the future of military bases in Okinawa.  The countries have agreed to relocate a controversial base to a remote part of the island, but strong local opposition and environmental concerns have delayed those plans.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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