February 2, 2010

Live-shell firing drills by the Okinawa-based U.S. Marine Corps commenced at Ground Self-Defense Force’s Hijudai training site on February 1 in Oita Prefecture. The Marines will conduct training exercises with machine guns and other small firearms for the first time.

This is the seventh training exercise at Hijudai by the U.S. Marines. It is scheduled for ten days from February 1 to 14, the longest ever training exercise.

Local people gathered on a hill overlooking the training field and protested against the drill. They lit candles to create the phrase “Peace for people.”
- Akahata, February 2, 2010