Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii, began a five-day trip to Japan yesterday. Joining him was Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., Inouye’s office said in a news release.

The delegation is scheduled to meet with U.S. and Japanese officials, including Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, and will travel to Tokyo and Okinawa, where the U.S. Marine Corps airfield at Futenma is located. The U.S. and Japan are discussing the future of the airfield.

“Our strategic relationship with Japan demands that we find an equitable solution to the Futenma situation, and I am optimistic that my visit will provide some valuable insight into how we can accomplish this goal as soon as possible, and to the satisfaction of both countries,” Inouye said.