iwakuni

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

Government distorts constitutionality of plebiscite on U.S. base
Akahata editorial (excerpts)

A referendum on the plan to allow a carrier-based U.S. aircraft unit to be deployed to the U.S. Marine Corps Iwakuni Air Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture will be held on March 12.

Some say, "Now that the defense issue is a matter to be dealt with exclusively by the state, the holding of such a local referendum is not appropriate." How arrogant and unconstitutional they are in demanding that residents, even though their living conditions and safety are threatened, obey what the central government decides!

The constitution provides for local autonomy with the aim of guaranteeing the fundamental rights of citizens and residents. The preamble's provision that "We recognize that all peoples (of the world) have the right to live in peace" must also mean that "residents have the right to live in peace."

Given a referendum is in complete accord with citizens' rights, the government has the constitutional duty to respect the Iwakuni referendum's outcome.

Iwakuni City and many citizens are opposing the U.S. plan to strengthen the Iwakuni base because it will force on residents unbearable hardships. The referendum is the best way that will allow citizens to express their judgment against the U.S. and Japanese governments' plan.

The plan is to redeploy 57 carrier aircraft with 1,600 personnel to Iwakuni base from the U.S. Naval Atsugi Air Station in Kanagawa Prefecture. Then the base will become the largest U.S. base in Japan with more than 100 aircraft and about 5,000 personnel.

If completed, landing and take-off exercises will be carried out day and night and will threaten residents' daily lives and increase the danger of serious crimes by U.S. military personnel as well as aircraft crashes. What can dispel citizens' concerns?

Following a U.S. F-4 Phantom jet crash at Kyushu University in Fukuoka Prefecture, the Iwakuni City Assembly in June 1968 adopted a resolution calling for the base runway to be relocated offshore.

During the Korean War (1950-53), U.S. warplanes almost everyday took off from the base, and a military aircraft crashed on a civilian house, killing three people, including a child.

Defense Agency Director General Nukaga Fukushiro on February 21 argued that the government must do everything it can so long as it concerns the safety of the nation and people as well as regional stability, while stating that the final decision will be made after the referendum.

The minister is thus just serving U.S. interests while trampling on the will of the nation's people.

Let's make a success of the referendum and express our firm "No" to the plan to realign U.S. bases in Japan.
- Akahata, March 4, 2006