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

Government considers amending law to enforce agreement on U.S. base construction

The Japanese government is considering amending the law to enable the government to override the Okinawa Prefectural Government and local administrations concerned in order to give the green light to carry out landfill operations in Oura Bay for the construction of a U.S. military base in defiance of local opposition.

Senior Japanese defense officials said, "Realignment of bases must be completed as soon as possible," suggesting that an amended law will include shortening the time for environmental assessment.

The plan to construct a new base using landfill in the bay next to U.S. Camp Schwab was agreed upon by Japanese and U.S. defense officials on October 26.

However, the government is afraid that this plan will be opposed by the prefectural government. In that case, the base construction will become impossible because a landfill project needs permission from the prefectural government.

According to U.S. Deputy Undersecretary Richard Lawless, the chief U.S. negotiator, the Japanese government has assured the U.S. side that the plan provides a comprehensive, capable and executable solution for replacing the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in an expeditious and complete manner.

What the Japanese government is trying to do now reminds us of the 1995 adverse revision of the law making it possible for the government to expropriate local lands for use by U.S. forces in defiance of opposition expressed by the then Okinawa governor.

An editorial of the October 27 issue of the Okinawa Times criticized the government as follows:

"This is tantamount to declaring a state of emergency, a ploy which the government previously used to expropriate local land in defiance of local opposition for the land to be used by U.S. forces. Such an outrage must not be condoned. Okinawans will not keep silent about Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro's plan to enact the bill using the force of majority of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Komei Party."

Okinawa governor and Nago mayor voice opposition

Okinawa Governor Inamine Keiichi and Nago Mayor Kishimoto Tateo have expressed opposition to the U.S.-Japanese agreement on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan that includes the construction of a new U.S. Marine Corps air facility to replace the present U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City, Okinawa.

Mayor Kishimoto said to Nishi Masanori, the Naha Regional Defense Facilities Administration Bureau director, "I am not sure at all whether I can persuade the residents to support the plan under these circumstances. As long as I am able to honestly answer questions that may arise, I cannot accept the helicopter base construction plan."

Governor Inamine at a news conference on the same day said, "The plan is incompatible with Okinawa Prefecture's basic demand that the U.S. Marine Corps be relocated to outside of Okinawa. -- Akahata, October 28, 2005