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

Don't deploy U.S. carrier fighter wing to Iwakuni: 5 cities in Hiroshima

Five cities in Hiroshima Prefecture near the U.S. Marine Corps Iwakuni Air Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture on May 22 petitioned the Japanese government to cancel the plan to redeploy U.S. aircraft carrier-borne fighters to the Iwakuni base from the U.S. Atsugi Naval Air Station.

Two mayors of Hatsukaichi City and Etajima City and officials from the other three cities visited the Defense Facilities Administration Agency, the Foreign Ministry, and the Defense Agency. They represented the Hiroshima Prefecture Liaison Council against the Plan to Reinforce the USMC Iwakuni Base established by mayors, assembly presidents, representatives of labor unions and residents' organizations of the five cities.

The council's letter to the government warns that the planned redeployment will turn the Iwakuni air base into the largest U.S. military air base in the Far East and that it will cause unbearable noise pollution that will affect Hiroshima Bay and northern Hiroshima.

The petitioners expressed deep concern about the possible adverse effects of U.S. flight training exercises on the cultural and historical assets of Miyajima, a world heritage, as well as tourism, fisheries, and ecosystems in the Seto Inland Sea.

They also stated that townspeople are opposed to establishing permanent U.S. military facilities for take-off and landing training in the Seto Inland Sea area.

At the press conference after visiting government offices, Hatsukaichi Mayor Yamashita Saburo stated, "We have endured the noise pollution caused by the Iwakuni base because we understand that the U.S. base is within the framework of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. However, we can no longer endure the adverse effects. We are not just calling for noise pollution to be reduced. We are saying that we can't accept the realignment and reinforcement of the Iwakuni air base."
- Akahata, May 23, 2006