Stop drilling survey for a new U.S. base: Japan Peace Committee

The Japan Peace Committee on May 6 requested the Defense Agency to stop a drilling survey for constructing a new U.S. base in waters off Nago City in Okinawa.

In a meeting with Defense Agency officials, Chisaka Jun, JPC secretary general, said, "Environmental groups as well as local residents have pointed out defects in the survey. The agency should immediately hold a meeting to explain the plan to them."

Anti-base residents groups in the Henoko district of Nago have been carrying out a sit-in demanding that the survey be suspended.

The association opposing construction of a U.S. heliport and the association to protect human lives on the same day published an appeal calling on the Okinawa prefectural government to force the Naha Regional Defense Facilities Administration Bureau sit at the negociation table.

The government is pushing ahead with a plan to close the current U. S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station and to construct a new and stronger base in Nago in its place. (end)