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

Town assembly members march in protest against U.S. fighter training

Most assembly members of a local town in Fukuoka Prefecture marched in demonstration against allowing U.S. forces to use the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Tsuiki Base in the town for training. They were warmly welcomed by the townspeople.

The Chikujo Town Assembly members are opposing the plan to shift flight training exercises by U.S. fighters from the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa to SDF bases in mainland Japan, including one at Tsuiki, under the Japan-U.S. agreement on realigning U.S. forces in Japan.

Twenty six out of a total of 30 assembly members took part in the march. Those who did not show up were either ill or on public duty. Holding a banner reading "Let's make Chikujo safe. Nobody wants a strengthening of the SDF Tsuiki Base--the town assembly," they walked from JR Tsuiki Station to the SDF Tsuiki Base. They petitioned the base commander that there should be no base reinforcement.

Tsujigami Hiroshi, town assembly special committee chair (Japanese Communist Party), stated, "Our demonstration is an implementation of the assembly's unanimous resolution against U.S. air drills at the Tsuiki base. Citizens are anxious about possible accidents, noise pollution, and adverse effects on the public order by U.S. fighter exercises. We must increase our campaign hand in hand with residents."
- Akahata, May 26, 2006