“A long-simmering dispute between the United States and Japan over the fate of a Marine base on Okinawa was apparently resolved on Friday when the Okinawan governor gave his approval to move the base to a remote area,” the New York Times reports.

“The agreement would bolster efforts by the Pentagon to rebalance American military forces across the Asia-Pacific region and by the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, to raise his country’s strategic posture and check the growing military influence of China.”

Washington Post: “Nakaima’s approval is significant because it breaks a seven-year stalemate in which the relocation plan — agreed upon by Tokyo and Washington — was held up by local opposition. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe persuaded Nakaima to accept the relocation by offering a major spending package aimed at infrastructure and development projects on the island.”

The AP notes Nakaima’s decision could still face court challenges and protests.