Protesters stage rallies as MSDF ships leave for Indian Ocean

   The Maritime Self-Defense Force’s escort ship Murasame and supply ship Oumi left Yokosuka Base (Kanagawa Pref.) on January 24 and Sasebo Base (Nagasaki Pref.) on January 25 respectively for the Indian Ocean to resume their mission to refuel U.S. warships based on the new anti-terrorism special measures law.

   Activists of peace and democratic organizations as well as local residents staged protests in Sasebo and Yokosuka cities.

   In Sasebo, Yamashita Chiaki, director of Sasebo Gensuikyo, pointed out that Sasebo is being forced to play a leading role in the dispatch of the SDF overseas and said that local residents oppose giving a hand to the killing of Afghans.

   Japanese Communist Party Nagasaki Prefectural Committee Chair Yamashita Mitsuaki said, “The JCP will work harder to establish an independent and peaceful diplomacy.”

   In Yokosuka, Hatano Kimie, JCP candidate for a Lower House seat, said, “It violates the Constitution for the MSDF to support U.S. in wars.”
- Akahata, January 25 & 26, 2008