The decision was made after "careful consideration," Fukuda told a city assembly meeting.

Based on a Japan-US agreement in 2006, a total of 61 carrier-borne US aircraft are scheduled to be relocated from the Atsugi base in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, to the Iwakuni base in the western prefecture of Yamaguchi in stages from next month.

"The move should help maintain international peace and stability in the severe security environment," Fukuda noted.

Meanwhile, he vowed to keep making his utmost efforts to secure the safety of residents near the base and alleviate their suffering from noise created by military planes.

In Tokyo the same day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference that the central government "will closely cooperate with the US side in taking measures to prevent noise, accidents and crimes."

Suga, who requested the city and prefectural governments to accept the aircraft transfer plan in February this year, stressed that the state will do all it can do to promote Iwakuni's local economy.

Given Fukuda's decision, Yamaguchi Governor Tsugumasa Muraoka is expected to endorse the aircraft relocation plan at a prefectural assembly meeting to be held shortly. (Jiji Press)