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

Final agreement on realignment of U.S. bases in Japan is unacceptable to local government heads

Heads of many local governments hosting U.S. military bases expressed disagreement to the May 1 Japan-U.S. agreement on the plan to realign U.S. bases in Japan. They commented as follows:

Mayor Ihara Katsusuke of Iwakuni City in Yamaguchi Prefecture (where the U.S. plans to relocate U.S. carrier-borne aircraft units from the U.S. Atsugi base in Kanagawa and mid-air refueling aircraft from Okinawa) said, "The Iwakuni referendum over the relocation and the recent mayoral election (in which Ihara won an overwhelming victory) show that the realignment plan cannot win public support. I cannot accept any plan that will force the residents to endure excessive burdens."

Yamaguchi Governor Nii Sekinari said, "The government gave top priority to concluding the agreement with the U.S. while paying little attention to local governments' and residents' concerns."

Hiroshima Governor Fujita Yuzan said, "There is no change in my firm rejection of the plan."

Mayors of Zama and Sagamihara cities in Kanagawa Prefecture where the U.S. Army plans to create a new command at U.S. Camp Zama, are very critical of the realignment plan. Zama Mayor Hoshino Katsuji said, "I can hardly accept the final agreement." Sagamihara Mayor Ogawa Isao said, "It's very regrettable that the final agreement will impose heavier burdens on residents."

Okinawa Governor Inamine Keiichi said, "I want to honor the prefecture's opposition to the plan to construct a new base on the shoreline of U.S. Camp Schwab in Nago City to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station currently located in Ginowan City."

Mayor Iha Yoichi of Ginowan City (Okinawa) said, "Burdens of U.S. military bases endured by Okinawans over the past 60 years must be drastically reduced," declaring again opposition to the plan to construct a new U.S. air base in Nago City.

In Zama City on May 3, the Liaison Council against Realignment of U.S. Camp Zama, which is composed of the city government and residents' organizations met and decided to continue to oppose the plan to install a new U.S. Army commander at the base.
- Akahata, May 3, 4, 2006