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

Bush meets protests in Japan

Municipal heads and citizens' organizations on November 16 voiced their protests about Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro and U.S. President George W. Bush agreeing to further strengthen the functions of U.S. military bases in Japan and to resume U.S. beef imports.

"I'm very disappointed that the two have failed to consider local opposition to the construction of a new U.S. base. Doing nothing about local residents suffering from damage caused by U.S. bases, the government aims to maintain U.S. bases in Okinawa. This is an abdication of responsibility. Forcing residents of particular areas to shoulder the burdens of military bases will have negative effects on the future of Japan-U.S. friendship." (Ginowan City Mayor Iha Yoichi, Okinawa Prefecture)

"No one wants U.S. forces to come to our town. My responsibility as a town head is to defend the residents. Together with them and the Town Assembly, I will oppose the plan to relocate U.S. military exercises here." (Shiida Town Mayor Arakawa Hisami, Fukuoka Prefecture)

"Why didn't the Japanese and U.S. governments give us explanations before making the important decisions? Given the noise pollution, I have no choice but to oppose it." (Namegata City Mayor Sakamoto Toshihiko, Ibaraki Prefecture)

"Okinawa has long endured the excessive burden of U.S. military bases. I cannot understand why Okinawa has to continue to pay the price." (Okinawa Governor Inamine Keiichi, Okinawa Prefecture)

In Kyoto City where the Japan-U.S. summit meeting took place, consumers' organizations took to the streets to oppose resumption of U.S. beef imports.

In Tokyo in front of the agriculture ministry, farmers and consumers staged a protest against lifting the ban on U.S. beef because of the lax U.S. measures against BSE. They criticized Koizumi for putting Bush before the nation's food safety.

Peace activists conducted a campaign at a Tokyo railway station, denouncing U.S. President Bush for visiting Japan to strengthen the functions of U.S. bases in Japan in line with the U.S. military realignment plan and to make these bases a stronghold for U.S. military intervention anywhere in the world.

In Okayama, union workers marched in demonstration opposing the strengthening of the Japan-U.S. military alliance on a global scale and U.S. pressure on Japan to resume U.S. beef imports. -- Akahata, November 17, 2005