JCP demands foreign ministry removal of U.S. bases

The Japanese Communist Party Okinawa Prefectural Committee on August 22 visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative in Okinawa and demanded that U.S. military bases be removed from Okinawa, complaining about the previous day's crash of a F15 fighter and the never-ending crimes and accidents during U.S. military exercises.

JCP Prefectural Committee Chair Akamine Seiken characterized the F15 crash as "predestined" due to the increase in U.S. military exercises in Okinawa which is a stepping stone for "anti-terrorism wars." He said the best way to prevent any more accidents is to remove the U.S. military bases.

Akamine criticized the Japanese government for allowing the series of crimes and accidents committed by U.S. military personnel to continue.

Regarding the planned exercise of F15 fighters on August 26, Akamine demanded that the training be at least suspended until the cause of the August 21 accident becomes clear.

The Okinawa Prefectural Peace Committee and an anti-U.S. bases citizens' organization also requested the removal of U.S. bases from Okinawa, arguing that the existence of U.S. bases is the root cause of crimes and accidents threatening Okinawan people's lives. (end)