(Tokyo) -- Japan's prime minister is reportedly set to ask President Obama for more time to review moving a U.S. Marine base.

A Japanese newspaper reports Tokyo will reassure Obama the relationship with Washington will remain the bedrock of its foreign policy, even with strained relations over the base.

The Obama administration wants to move the base from an urban area on the island of Okinawa to a more remote location, while Japan wants the base moved off the island entirely.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has urged Japanese officials to resolve the situation before Obama visits on November 12th.

The State Department says no deadline has been set by Washington.

Talks between American and Japanese diplomats will open Thursday in Tokyo in advance of Obama's Asian trek.

　

(Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)