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

Democratic Party leader urges Koizumi to increase Japan-U.S. military ties

Democratic Party President Maehara Seiji used most of his question time in parliament to proclaim his support for a stronger Japan-U.S. military alliance, acting as if he were a new U.S. spokesperson.

In the one-on-one debate with Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro on October 19, the young DPJ leader first argued that Japan's diplomacy must revolve around the Japan-U.S. alliance. He exalted the 1996 Japan-U.S. Joint Security Declaration, a document that perfectly makes clear that the alliance constitutes "sources of stability" in the Asia-Pacific region.

While stating that he does not see China as Japan's "adversary," Maehara suggested that "China seems to be trying to drive a wedge between Japan and the United States," stressing the need for a stronger Japan-U.S. military alliance.

Concerning the issue of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, Maehara demanded that bilateral talks should be accelerated on the grounds that the United States is "very frustrated with the slow process."

As regards the 1996 Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) final agreement which calls for the construction of an on-sea air station replacing the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station, Maehara demanded that the prime minister take the initiative to immediately solve the Futenma issue.

The DPJ representative stressed that Koizumi must bear the responsibility to have a bilateral interim report on the realignment of the U.S. military in Japan choose a location alternative to Futenma, and that the prime minister should persuade local governments and people concerned to accept the decision. -- Akahata, October 20, 2005