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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Close U.S. Camp Hansen's firing range: JCP

A Japanese Communist Party lawmaker has urged the government to not permit the planned firing exercises in U.S. Marine Corps Camp Hansen, Okinawa, using a facility which has just been completed within Range-4, as part of anti-guerrilla warfare training.

Speaking at the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on June 29, JCP Akamine Seiken stated that stray bullets by U.S. forces have often been shot into Kim's Igei district near the U.S. Camp Hansen.

Regarding the government notice that a new firing range called Range-16 will be constructed as an alternative to Range-4, Akamine warned, "This will not mean withdrawal of Range-4 which will reportedly be under U.S. Marine Corps control. Nothing will improve for the residents."

The Foreign Ministry's North American Bureau director Kawai Chikao answered that the use of Range-4 will be temporary and the U.S. forces promised to not use it after Range-16 is completed."

Asked by Akamine to show the documents, the director said that the ministry confirmed this during a "conversation" with U.S. military officials.

"How can that be called a promise? Don't forget that the U.S. forces have broken many 'promises' in Okinawa," said Akamine.

The U.S. forces have announced that they will use Range 4's facility from June 27 for training exercises. The Kim Town Assembly immediately adopted a resolution in protest against the training. - Akahata, June 30, 2005