iraqwar2

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

Rallies held to mark 3rd anniversary of Iraq war

Rallies and demonstrations took place in major cities and in cities hosting U.S. bases throughout Japan on March 19, the eve of the third anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, calling for an end to the U.S. aggression against the country.

In Tokyo, about 3,000 people gathered in a rally demanding the withdrawal of the Self-Defense Forces from Iraq and protesting against the plan to strengthen U.S. bases in Japan. The action was sponsored by an organizing committee in which the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) and the Central Action Committee against the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty took the lead.

Zenroren President Kumagai Kanemichi in his speech criticized the U.S. Bush administration for still pursuing its preemptive attack strategy and for pushing ahead with the realignment of U.S. bases in Japan while it is losing its domestic support for the aggression against Iraq. He called on participants to create a big wave for peace.

Lee Jun Kyu, who represents the Civil Network for Peaceful Korea, reported on their struggle against the U.S. military realignment in South Korea.

Japanese Communist Party Vice Chair Ishii Ikuko spoke in solidarity.

In Osaka, about 4,000 people formed human letters spelling ﾒGO HOME.ﾓ

In Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, about 800 people rallied to further develop the movement against the government plan to relocate a U.S. carrier-borne aircraft unit to the U.S. Iwakuni base.

About 350 residents in Kanagawaﾕs Zama City expressed their opposition to the establishment of a new U.S. Army command at U.S. Camp Zama.

Similar actions were held in Sapporo, Chiba, and Matsue cities.
- Akahata, March 20, 2006