Japan Press Weekly

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2009 April 8 - 14 [US FORCES]

Shii meets with Ishigaki mayor and citizens

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on April 11 visited Ishigaki City in Okinawa Prefecture to meet with Mayor Ohama Nagateru and citizens who opposed the U.S. warships’ forcible entry into Ishigaki Port.

In the meeting with Shii, Ohama said, “During WWII, by the order of the Japanese Imperial Army, Ishigaki residents were forced to move to malarial areas and one out of 7-8 of the population died. People here have a hatred of war.”

Explaining that among the world’s best diving areas, Ishigaki Island was ranked first in Japan and third in the world, Ohama stressed, “We don’t want warships to enter.”

Shii at the meeting with residents said, “I think it is outrageous that the U.S. warships entered the port, trampling upon the residents’ wish to defend peace. I want to express full solidarity with your three slogans, ‘No more warships’ entry! Don’t make Ishigaki Port a military port! Revise the Japan-U.S. Status of U.S. Forces Agreement!’.”

After hearing the accounts of participant, Shii stated, “I’m really impressed that your wish for peace is so deep. Let’s work together to stand up to the U.S. forces’ arrogance and stop the construction of a new base. The JCP will do its best to help change Japan to a country without a military treaty and without foreign military bases.”