US diplomat replaced over Okinawa slur

A senior US diplomat supervising Japan affairs has been replaced for allegedly making disparaging comments.

A senior US diplomat supervising Japan affairs has been replaced for allegedly making disparaging comments about the inhabitants of a southern Japanese island where US troops are based,the US Embassy and an assistant secretary of state said Thursday.

Kevin Maher caused an uproar by reportedly telling a group of American University students in December that Okinawans were lazy and used their hosting of US bases to extort benefits from Tokyo.

The comments have been widely reported in the Japanese media,and Japans foreign minister called them hurtful and deeply regrettable.

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Maher has been replaced by Rust Deming,the deputy chief of mission in Tokyo,as director of the State Departments Office of Japan Affairs,the US Embassy said in a statement. Maher will continue to work for the State Department.

Visiting Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell refused to say whether the State Department had confirmed what Maher said. But he said the decision to replace him was made for the sake of the overall bilateral relationship.

Okinawa hosts tens of thousands of US Marines and other troops,more than any other part of Japan. Okinawans have often complained that they bear too much of the burden for Japans security alliance with Washington.