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

U.S. base issue is crucial in Kanagawa: JCP Shii

At a press conference on October 6, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo in the Diet said that the problem of U.S. bases in Kanagawa being strengthened and perpetuated is the major issue along with a major tax increase and constitutional revision in the House of Councilors by-election in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Earlier in the day, Shii campaigned in Yokohama in support of JCP candidate Hatano Kimie who is in a dead heat with candidates of the Liberal Democratic and Democratic parties.

Quoting a local newspaper editorial that states, "Politicians who dismiss the question of realignment of U.S. bases neglect their responsibility to voters," Shii called on voters to choose the JCP candidate who rejects moves to strengthen U.S. bases and is trying to make Kanagawa U.S. base-free.

As demonstrated by 270,000 signatures collected in Zama and Sagamihara cities in opposition to the planned relocation of U.S. Army Corps I headquarters to U.S. Camp Zama, the by-election started amidst the surging anti-base movement in the prefecture, Shii pointed out.

However, in their first election campaign speeches, candidates and supporters of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan didn't touch on this issue despite the fact that Kanagawa hosts the second largest number of U.S. bases in Japan, after Okinawa.

"How can they be regarded as politicians of an independent country?" Shii asked.

Referring to Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro's first campaign speech in Kanagawa, Shii said, "He has nothing to offer the voters because the postal privatization issue he used in the September general election was his only resource. He is failing to attract tens of thousands of people to listen to him as he did in the general election.

Kanagawa's by-election shows the start of a new stage where every party must fight with the strength of their own policies." -- Akahata, October 7, 2005