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

Local mayor cautious about deployment of X-Band radar

House of Representatives member Takahashi Chizuko of the Japanese Communist Party on March 6 visited Tsugaru City in Aomori Prefecture and requested the mayor to voice his concerns about the Japanese and U.S. governments' decision to deploy the mobile X-Band radar system at the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force base in the city.

The two governments have agreed to integrate the early warning radar system into the U.S. missile defense system at the JASDF Shariki Air Station in 2006. On March 3, the Defense Facilities Administration Agency visited Aomori to urge the Aomori Prefectural and the Tsugaru City governments to accept the plan.

In talks with Mayor Fukushima Hiroyoshi, Takahashi stated, "If the X-Band radar is deployed here, the Shariki Air Station's function will be drastically changed, though it has nothing to do with the defense of Japan. Today, many local government heads are expressing concerns about the U.S. military realignment plan. We would like you to raise your voice. You are not alone."

The mayor said, "Citizens' opinions are divided. This morning I received a petition from a local residents' association chair expressing concerns about changes that the introduction of the radar system might cause to the environment. I'll make my judgment after listening carefully to citizens' opinions."

In February, residents and some Tsugaru City local assembly members and surrounding towns established an association to oppose the deployment of the X-Band Radar system.

The October 2005 Japan-U.S. agreement on the plan to realign the U.S. forces in Japan states, "The optimum site for deployment in Japan of the new U.S. X-Band radar system will be examined." If enacted, this will be the first overseas deployment of the X-Band radar system by the U.S.

The U.S. Bush administration's missile-defense plan is aimed at establishing a "defense shield" to block enemy ballistic missile attacks, as well as launching preemptive strikes, even with the use of nuclear weapons, without worrying about counterattacks from the enemy.

In an attempt to detect ballistic missiles, electric waves projected from the X-Band radar will cover foreign territories. Its deployment will militarily threaten neighboring countries in Asia and increase regional tension.
- Akahata, February 24 & March 7, 2006