Japan Press Weekly

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2009 December 2 - 8 [OKINAWA]

Shii and mayor agree on initiating a debate on Japan-U.S. Security Treaty

The mayor said that 13 years after his previous meeting with Shii, Kadena residents’ suffering associated with the Kadena base have been increasing due to increased noise pollution, noxious smells, and accidents.

The Kadena Town Assembly has held 44 extraordinary meetings to express its protest to the U.S. Forces in regard to the occurrence of accidents, he added.

U.S. fighter jets frequently fly in from mainland Japan and from bases abroad because of the vast air space in Okinawa reserved for the U.S. forces’ exclusive use for training, the mayor stressed.

Shii said, “The functions of the Kadena base have increased to the extent that even a U.S. Department of Defense official admitted that the situation was ‘abnormal'. The JCP is determined to make efforts to get the designated air space eliminated and the air base reduced and withdrawn.”

Referring to the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty which will mark its 50th anniversary next year, Miyagi requested that Shii help to increase debates over whether the treaty is necessary or not.

Shii said, “I am in complete agreement with you.”

As regards the Foreign Minister’s proposal to move the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station to the Kadena Air Force Base, Shii stated that the JCP will fight in support of Kadena town’s rejection of the proposal as expressed in the November 7 rally in the town.

“This is very encouraging to us all,” said the mayor.
- Akahata, December 5, 2009