JCP Shii warns of dangerous USFJ-JSDF integration

The planned redeployment of the U.S. Marine Corps third division artillery unit from Okinawa to the Ground Self-Defense Force Yausubetsu Exercises Field in Hokkaido constitutes part of U.S. global moves to transform its forces, said Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo. He was speaking at a press conference in Sapporo City in Hokkaido on June 28.

Shii pointed out that U.S. President George W. Bush's November 2003 policy concerning the transformation of U.S. bases abroad has two major keywords, maneuverability and integration, and that recent moves of the USF in Japan have the following two features.

One is to ensure the maneuverability of the U.S. forces in order to carry out U.S. interventionist wars in world disputes. Lt Gen Wallace Gregson, former coordinator of Okinawa-based U.S. Forces has stated that the whole of Japan will expectedly function as a strategic strong point, like a hub, that will ensure that the U.S. forces can operate in the whole of Asia. By using U.S. bases in Japan as hubs, the U.S. forces are increasing their rapid deployment capability throughout the world.

Another point Shii made concerns the integration of the U.S. forces with the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

Recalling that the Okinawa-based U.S. Marines took part in the massacre in Iraq's Fallujah and that Ground SDF personnel sent to Iraq are mostly from Hokkaido, Shii said, "It is serious that these two forces are jointly carrying out exercises with live shells with the aim of jointly advancing from Japan."

Also, referring to released plans of 'integrated' moves between the Ground SDF and the U.S. Army and the Air SDF and the U.S. Air Force, as well as the integration of the Marine SDF and the U.S. Navy around at Yokosuka, Shii warned that this danger cannot be overlooked.

Pointing out that the next stage following the integration will be participating in wars abroad, Shii called on voters to closely follow this issue in the ongoing House of Councilors election campaign.


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The Okinawa-based U.S. Marine Corps will carry out live shell firing exercises with howitzers from July 28 at the GSDF Yausubetsu exercises field in northern Hokkaido. Four town mayors concerned and the Hokkaido vice-governor jointly visited the Sapporo Defense Facilities Administration Bureau to demand that night live-shell drills be canceled. (end)