U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates met Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa in Tokyo today. One their agenda was the future of U.S. military bases in Okinawa and Japan's role in Afghanistan.

The month-old Japanese government wants U.S. bases in Okinawa to go, but the U.S. says they are strategically important and need to stay.

[Robert Gates, U.S. Defense Secretary]:
"Our view is clear. The Futenma relocation facility is the linchpin of the realignment roadmap. Without the Futenma realignment, the Futenma facility, there will be no relocation to Guam and without relocation to Guam, there will be no consolidation of forces and return of land in Okinawa.”

Japan's Democratic Party-led government, which took office last month, has pledged to steer a diplomatic course less dependent on close security ally, Washington.

This has prompted concern that security relations between the world's two biggest economies could suffer. It comes at a time when China's economic clout and military power is growing and North Korea remains as unpredictable as ever.

The realignment pact is meant to reduce the U.S. military presence on the southern island of Okinawa while improving the ability of the two forces to cooperate.

Future Japanese support for the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan was also on their agenda. Japan recently announced the end to its refueling mission in the Indian Ocean backing up U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

[Robert Gates, U.S. Defense Secretary]:
“As far as we are concerned, that's a decision that's up to the government of Japan. That said, there are robust opportunities for additional kinds of assistance to Afghanistan. I know that there is interest in economic development and agricultural development, but I would also say that a real need is for financial support for the expansion and sustainment of the Afghan national army and the Afghan national police."

Gates' visit is intended to lay the groundwork for U.S. President Barack Obama's November trip to Tokyo.

Gates, who will also visit Seoul this week, says he will discuss ways that Japan and South Korea can contribute to the stalled war in Afghanistan.