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

Municipality heads voice opposition to strengthening of U.S. bases

The City Assembly of Nago in Okinawa Prefecture on November 21 adopted a unanimous resolution strongly opposing the plan to build a new U.S. base on the southern coast of U.S. Camp Schwab in the city as an alternative site for the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa's Ginowan City. It plans to send the statement to Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro.

The statement expressed concerns about noise pollution and other negative impacts that the new base will have on residents. It also criticized the Japanese government for approving the Japan-U.S. interim report on the U.S. military realignment in Japan without discussing the contents with local municipalities.

On the same day, Kagoshima Prefectural Governor Ito Yuichiro for the first time expressed his opposition to the plan to relocate air refueling aircraft to the Air Self-Defense Force Kanoya Base in Kagoshima's Kanoya City from the U.S. Futenma base.

In answer to Defense Agency Director General Nukaga Fukushiro who visited Ito to explain the Japan-U.S. interim report, Ito stated that the relocation of the air refueling aircraft, which was originally planned to be stationed at the U.S. Marine Corps Iwakuni Air Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture, is "only intended to shift the base burden."

Kanoya City Mayor Yamashita Sakae also refused to accept the plan, stating, "Considering residents' safety, the city cannot approve such a plan."

Zama City (Kanagawa Prefecture) Mayor Hoshino Katsuji on the same day made representations to the prime minister's office and the Defense Agency, calling for a withdrawal of the interim report and submitting the statement adopted at the November 18 Zama residents rally against the strengthening of U.S. Camp Zama. -- Akahata, November 22, 2005