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Yamaguchi Prefecture governor rejects plan to relocate air wing of U.S. aircraft carrier

The governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture called a news conference on October 30 to announce his rejection of the planned relocation of the air wing of a U.S. aircraft carrier from the U.S. Naval Atsugi Air Station (Kanagawa Pref.) to the U.S. Marine Corps Iwakuni Air Station in Yamaguchi prefecture. The relocation plan is included in the report on U.S. military realignment published on October 29 by Japanese and U.S. foreign ministers and defense chiefs.

Governor Nii Sekinari said that the relocation is merely a way of shifting the burden of the base onto another locality. "We cannot accept such a relocation that will bring in nighttime touch-and-go exercises," he said.

The governor also expressed discontent at the realignment report for lacking details about the number of aircraft being relocated and other information as well as for the Japanese government's explanation being so formal. He demanded to know the details of the plan and to have the opportunity to state his opinion to the government.

Iwakuni Mayor Ihara Katsusuke also held a news conference on the same day to express opposition to the relocation plan. He stated, "The plan has been decided by the Japanese and U.S. governments, shutting out local governments." -- Akahata, October 31, 2005