Yokohama City promotes US military to children

Japan Press Weekly

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

Yokohama City promotes US military to children

The Yokohama City Government and its Board of Education on August 19 held an experience tour of the U.S. Army North Dock in Yokohama Port, "Kodomo Adventure", targeting children aged between 6 and 15.

The Japanese Communist Party along with peace and democratic organizations had called on the city to cancel this event on the grounds that it would encourage children to accept unquestioningly military facilities that are directly connected to war.

JCP Yokohama City Assembly member Onuki Norio said, "What the city should do is not give the U.S. military a free ride, but rather urge the U.S. military to return its facilities as soon as possible to the city."

Thirty-four children and 28 parents participated in "Kodomo Adventure". They were surprised to hear that U.S. military facilities in Yokohama account for 180 times the size of Yokohama baseball stadium.

During the tour, a boy asked, "Why is a foreign military base in Japan?" Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Bunn answered, "Japan and the U.S. are good allies. We want to be good friends. Thank you for having us here."

- Akahata, August 20, 2010