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

DFAA dissuades local assemblies from adopting resolutions opposing U.S. military realignment

The Defense Facilities Administration Agency (DFAA) by e-mail has ordered its officials to dissuade local assemblies from adopting resolutions opposing the plan to realign U.S. forces in Japan.

A copy of the e-mail message was sent by a whistle blower to Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo and was revealed by JCP Dietmember Inoue Satoshi at the February 1House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting.

The e-mail message was sent from a senior DFAA official in charge of affairs related to the U.S. military realignment plan to 15 DFAA officials, including heads of Regional Defense Facilities Administration Bureaus in Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Naha.

It stated, "You are requested to always be alert to any moves arising in local assemblies to adopt a resolution against (the U.S. forces realignment plan) and immediately report them to headquarters." It also instructs officials concerned to respond to any such local moves no matter how insignificant they may appear.

Stating that he has never seen such e-mail, Defense Agency Director General Nukaga Fukushiro promised to investigate into the matter. He also said that the DA is carrying out various activities to gain local understanding.

The JCP representatives said that the government must stop putting pressure on local municipalities not to express their opinions in order to forcibly accomplish the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan and thus turn Japan into a stronghold for U.S. preemptive attacks.
- Akahata, February 2, 2006