Japan's police provided U.S. with information on citizens' anti-port call
activities

A new revelation that a local police station in 1999 provided
information to the U.S. Forces on citizens' protest activities against the
port call by the U.S. destroyer Cushing at Maizuru Port, Kyoto, has caused
deep concern and anger in Japan.

This was reported by Asahi Shimbun on August 21 based on documents the
newspaper obtained under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

A similar revelation was made in 1997 by Akahata concerning the U.S.
aircraft carrier Indepedence's visit to Otaru Port in Hokkaido.

At the time, Japanese Communist Party member Ogata Yasuo raised
questions in the House of Councilors on the local police station providing
the U.S. Forces with information about citizens' protest activities. Ogata
Yasuo revealed a pamphlet delivered to U.S. sailors of the U.S. aircraft
carrier Independence, which called at Otaru on September 5.

The pamphlet entitled, "Some hostility may be encountered," says, "Local
police expect two early morning protests timed to coincide with the ship's
arrival... All demonstrations are cleared through local police, and much
support will be given by local law enforcement to ensure that every crew
member can enjoy their liberty."

It also says, "More than a quarter of the city assembly's members are
socialists and communists....These assembly members are unhappy with any
U.S. warship visit and will be looking for incidents to publicize."

In answer to Ogata, both the National Police Agency's Security Bureau
chief and the National Public Safety Commission chief stated that the local
police had often offered such information to the U.S. They failed to show
its legal basis.

It has also been learned that the U.S. Pacific Fleet intelligence center
has compiled port reports on details involving U.S. warships' port calls.

Akahata says such police activities undermine citizens' freedom of
assembly and association, and that they must immediately stop it. (end)