Court denies landowner's claim on his land inside U.S. military base

The Yokohama District Court on August 29 dismissed a
landowner's demand that the Japanese and U.S. governments return his land currently occupied by the U.S. forces.

Landowner Mori Shigenori has insisted that the U.S. forces do not use his land on the U.S. Kamiseya Base as a communications facility any more. However, judge Takayanagi Teruo stated that Mori's land is in use as long as the U.S. forces do not return the land to the owner. The judgment ignored the fact that Mori's 20-year-land lease contract expired and has not been renewed.

Criticizing the judge for supporting the Japanese government in subservience to the United States, the plaintiff plans to appeal to a higher court. (end)