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

'Don't allow reinforcement of U.S. Camp Zama': 1,900 citizens rally

With Japan and the United States trying to finalize their report on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, about 1,900 Zama citizens opposing the planned reinforcement of U.S. Army Camp Zama in Kanagawa Prefecture held a rally on March 12 and marched in demonstration near the military base.

The rally was called for by the Zama City Association Opposing the Reinforcement of Camp Zama with the Relocation of US Army I Corps Headquarters, chaired by Zama Mayor Hoshino Katsuji.

They held placards reading "Don't deploy war command at Camp Zama," and "Stop the reinforcement and perpetuation of the base." Young people and families with children marched together holding banners with slogans calling for opposition to the plan.

Referring to a report that the U.S. and Japanese governments have agreed on the partial return of U.S. Camp Zama's site to the city, Mayor Hoshino said, "Returning a small portion of the base site ignores our call for the cancellation of the strengthening and perpetuation of Camp Zama."

The Japanese government should consider local residents' hardships and take a stand that there should be no reinforcement of the base."

Messages from Mayor Ogawa Isao of Sagamihara City and Kanagawa Prefecture Governor Matsuzawa Shigefumi were read. (Camp Zama is located in Sagamihara City as well as in Zama City.)

The participants adopted a unanimous resolution calling for the plan to 'transform' the U.S. base to be retracted.

Marchers chanted, "We need no new war command!" and "the government must listen to local residents!"

Hatano Kimie, former Japanese Communist Party House of Councilors member, took part in the rally and march.
-Akahata, March 12, 2006