How long should U.S. be allowed to use Japan as a stepping stone? -- Akahata editorial, May 26 (abridged)

Although worldwide realignment of U.S. forces is said to include reduction of overseas U.S. bases, those in Japan are being reinforced to meet the needs of U.S.-led wars.

In Okinawa, in defiance of strong popular opposition, preparations are under way for the construction of a new U.S. Marine on-sea air base in the Henoko district of Nago City, a project that will destroy the coral reefs. In Kin Town, a new "counter guerrilla" urban warfare training facility is also being built.

In addition, a new "expeditionary strike group" was established at the U.S. Naval Sasebo Base in Nagasaki, followed by plans to deploy a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at Yokosuka and the relocation of Okinawa-based U.S. artillery units to Japan's mainland.

Okinawa-based U.S. Marines, now deployed in Iraq, have committed killings in Fallujah.

The U.S. forces have reportedly said that they will not bring in additional forces to South Korea after U.S. army brigades stationed there are sent to Iraq. The U.S. Marine Corps Pacific Command has made it clear that the troop level of the U.S. Marines stationed in Okinawa will remain unchanged.

The top brass of the U.S. Marine Forces Pacific told Reuters in June 2003 that "the need for swift responses to threats also means Okinawa and the rest of Japan could function in future more like a strategic 'hub' -- facilitating the flow of U.S. forces throughout Asia."

The U.S. forces plan to make preemptive attacks from distant points that are even far away from overseas U.S. bases in order to strike targets which the United States regard as "threats". This is the concept of "forward deterrence."

More than a half century has passed since the end of the U.S. occupation of Japan, but Japan maintains the policy of allowing the U.S. forces to be stationed in Japan under the Japan-U.S. military alliance. What's more, enacting the contingency-related laws enables concrete steps to be taken to involve the Self-Defense Forces in U.S. wars.

On this issue, the opposition Democratic Party takes the same position as the ruling parties.

The task now is for Japan to break away from the LDP policy and stop assisting in U.S. wars.

The withdrawal of U.S. forces from Japan and not allowing the United States to use Japan as its stepping stone for U.S. wars is the only way to ensure public safety and world peace. (end)