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

Candidate opposing U.S. base relocation reelected as Iwakuni mayor

In the April 23 mayoral election in Iwakuni City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Ihara Katsusuke, who opposes the plan to relocate a U.S. carrier-borne airwing to the U.S. Iwakuni base, defeated a Liberal Democratic Party-supported candidate who pledged to accept the plan.

The result will inevitably have an impact on the U.S. military realignment scheme.

In his campaign, Ihara promised voters to continue negotiating with the central government for the retraction of the relocation plan.

The Japanese Communist Party supported Ihara since it shares the common goal of blocking the relocation plan.

Ihara in his victory speech expressed his resolution to steadily determine a course for the city based on residents' demands.

In the March 12 referendum in Iwakuni, nearly 90 percent voted against the plan. -Akahata, April 24, 2006