 Local government and residents to jointly protest against U.S. army command relocation to their city In Zama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, city assembly members and residents have closed ranks to establish a liaison council in opposition to the planned relocation of the U.S. 1st Army Corps to Camp Zama from Washington State. On November 16, about 50 people participated in the council's 1st meeting at the city building. Zama Mayor Hoshino Katsuji was chosen to be the council chair. The founding of the council is aimed at increasing local efforts to prevent Camp Zama, located in Zama and Sagamihara cities, from being strengthened and used permanently by U.S. forces. The council plans to carry out various activities including representations, research, and collection of information. Nakazawa Kunio, Japanese Communist Party member of Zama City Assembly and elected council official, said, "It is significant that the assembly and residents join together to set up and run an organization to protest against the relocation of the U.S. army command." (end) |