Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Incoming Japanese Prime Minister Pledges to Honor Okinawa Deal VOA News 08 June 2010 Japanese incoming Prime Minister Naoto Kan speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, 08 Jun 2010 Photo: AP Japanese incoming Prime Minister Naoto Kan speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, 08 Jun 2010 Incoming Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan says he will honor a previous agreement with the United States to relocate a military air base on the southern island of Okinawa. Mr. Kan made the remarks during a press conference Tuesday, hours before his formal swearing-in by Emperor Akihito. The U.S. Marine air station on Okinawa partly led to the downfall of ex-Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who resigned last week after just eight months in office. His approval ratings plunged after he reversed himself on his campaign promise to back out of the 2006 agreement to relocate the base.  Mr. Kan also promised to rein in Japan's massive public debt to ensure the nation's long-term economic stability. He has named Yoshihiko Hoda to succeed him as finance minister. Hoda served as deputy under Mr. Kan, where both earned a reputation as fiscal conservatives. The incoming prime minister is retaining 11 of Mr. Hatoyama's 17 ministers, including Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and defense chief Toshimi Kitazawa. Yoshito Sengoku, who Mr. Kan selected as chief Cabinet minister, says the new prime minister's goal is to bring in "fresh ... clean" and "professional" ministers who can effectively govern. Mr. Hatoyama stepped down last week, becoming the fourth Japanese prime minister to resign since 2007. Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters. .