okinawa3

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

Local mayor opposes use of U.S. Kadena base by JSDF

Miyagi Tokujitsu, the mayor of Kadena Town in Okinawa, on May 5 expressed his opposition to the co-use of the U.S. Kadena Air Base by the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and the U.S. forces, that was included in the Japan-U.S. agreement on the U.S. military realignment in Japan.

In a meeting with Defense Facilities Administration Agency Director General Kitahara Iwao at the Kadena Town office, Miyagi supported the plan to relocate part of the U.S. fighter jets exercises from Kadena to the mainland of Japan. At the same time, he pointed out that it will be meaningless if the use of the base by the SDF will offset the reduction in noise pollution expected from the U.S. fighter jets relocation.

Mayor Miyagi submitted to the national government a statement calling for a cancellation of the joint-use plan and a ban on nighttime take-offs and landings at the Kadena base.
- Akahata, May 7, 2006