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Local reactions to U.S. military realignment plans

Heads of local municipalities hosting bases of the U.S. forces or the Self-Defense Forces have voiced opposition to the document published on October 29 by the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee concerning the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan.

Chitose City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Part of the F15 fighter exercises of the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa will be relocated to the Air Self-Defense Force base in Chitose City.

"I am worried that the relocation of U.S. F15 fighter drills will exacerbate the already serious noise pollution caused by SDF aircraft. I'm also concerned about accidents, various troubles, and security. With little information made available to us, we can hardly accept the relocation plan" (Chitose Mayor Yamaguchi Kotaro).

Hyakuri, Ibaraki Prefecture

The U.S. forces are planning to relocate F15 fighter exercises to the ASDF Hyakuri base hosted by Ogawa Town.

"(The proposed relocation) will give residents anxieties and sufferings. We definitely oppose the plan" (Ogawa Town Mayor Inou Yoshiro).

Yokota, Tokyo

Military-civilian use of the U.S. Yokota Air base has been agreed upon.

"U.S. forces at the Yokota base should be reduced and the base site returned. Strengthening the base capability leading to perpetuating the base must not be accepted" (Musashimurayama City Mayor Arai Mitsuo).

"The military-civilian co-use of the Yokota base will lead to more noise pollution. We won't change our stance against the plan" (Akishima City Mayor Kitagawa Joichi).

"It is unreasonable that the government did not provide any information to local municipalities. It is regrettable that the plan does not reflect the town's opposition to the plan" (Ishizuka Koemon Mizuho City Mayor).

Zama City & Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture

The Japan-U.S. agreement includes plans to establish a new command known as a unit of employment (UEx) at U.S. Camp Zama as well as to allow a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to use Yokosuka Port as its homeport.

"The realignment plan must not be accepted. I will keep in touch with residents and negotiate with the state" (Kanagawa Governor Matsuzawa Shigefumi).

"It has nothing to do with reducing burdens of bases but the perpetuation of bases. How can we accept the plans to establish a new command at Camp Zama and to relocate a Ground SDF unit to the U.S. Sagami Supply Depot site" ( Sagamihara City Mayor Ogawa Isao).

"The government has not candidly explained the establishment of a new U.S. command at Zama to the local municipalities. Residents will not approve such a plan" (Zama Mayor Hoshino Katsuji).

"I wonder if the government even considered our city's opinions over the plan to deploy a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to Yokosuka Port. I must express my disappointment. It is hard for us to accept the plan" (Yokosuka Mayor Kabaya Ryoichi).

Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

U.S. Navy carrier-borne aircraft will be relocated to Iwakuni from the U.S. Navy Atsugi Air Station in Kanagawa Prefecture. The Maritime SDF currently located in Iwakuni will move to Atsugi.

"Relocation means just distributing the noise pollution. I cannot accept the plan on the grounds that it may induce U.S. touch-and-go exercises" (Yamaguchi Governor Nii Sekinari).

"I am disappointed at having no chance to express local opinions. It is impossible to accept the plan. I want to take action to get the plan withdrawn" (Iwakuni Mayor Ihara Katsusuke).

"No matter what happens, I am opposed to the plan because it will destroy the living environment of local residents" (Hatsukaichi City Mayor Yamashita Saburo, Hiroshima Prefecture).

"As a city that consistently calls for the abolition of nuclear weapons as well as lasting world peace, Hiroshima will not tolerate the relocation plan" (Hiroshima City Mayor Akiba Tadatoshi).

Shintomi Town, Miyazaki Prefecture

Part of the F15 fighter aircraft exercises at the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture will move to the Air SDF Nyutabaru Air Base in Shintomi Town.

"Fighter exercises will only increase noise pollution and perpetuate U.S. forces in our town" (Shintomi Town Mayor Kawagoe Toshihiro).

Kanoya City, Kagoshima Prefecture

The U.S. Air refueling aircraft will be deployed at the Maritime SDF Kanoya Naval Air Base.

"Although they knew we opposed the plan, they agreed on the plan in complete disregard of local opinions. Our opposition to it will not change" (Kanoya Mayor Yamashita Sakae).

Okinawa Prefecture

A new U.S. base will be constructed in the sea off U.S. Camp Schwab in Nago City as an alternative of the U.S. Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City. Naha Naval Port in Naha City and the Makiminato Supply Base in Urasoe City will be consolidated in northern Okinawa. The Headquarters of U.S. Camp Zukeran in Ginowan City will be relocated to U.S. Camp Courtney in Gushikawa City. The 3rd Marines Expeditionary Force will move to Guam Island in the Pacific. The SDF will co-use U.S. Camp Hansen in Kin Town.

"It completely conflicts with the prefecture's basic idea. We cannot accept these plans" (Okinawa Governor Inamine Keiichi).

"It is totally unacceptable. If the plan remains the same, we will continue to oppose it until a final decision is made" (Nago City Mayor Kishimoto Tateo).

"No one wants the sea of the Henoko District to turn into chunks of concrete. We keep calling on the Japanese and U.S. governments to close and return the Futenma air base" (Ginowan City Mayor Iha Yoichi). -- Akahata, November 3, 2005