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

Ginowan mayor opposes new base plan

On April 12, the day marking the 10th anniversary of a Japan-U.S. agreement on returning to Japan the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station site in Okinawa, Iha Yoichi, the mayor of the base-hosting city of Ginowan, expressed his opposition to a plan recently agreed upon by Nago City and the national government to construct a new U.S. base with two runways.

At a news conference, Iha pointed out that U.S. aircraft are flying day and night over residential areas of Ginowan with a population of 90,000 and that there is no guarantee that such flights will not take place in Nago. The relocation of the U.S. Futenma base from Ginowan to Nago in accordance with the Nago-government agreement will not solve the U.S. base problems in Okinawa, he added.

At the same time, pointing out that the government expects that it will take eight years to complete the return of the Futenma base site, Iha urged the government to clearly indicate measures to prevent imminent dangers caused by the Futenma base.
- Akahata, April 13, 2006