 Local governments oppose U.S. military relocation Camp Fuji The Shizuoka Prefectural Assembly on December 20 adopted a unanimous resolution expressing its opposition to a planned relocation of part of the U.S. Marine Corps from Okinawa to U.S. Camp Fuji located in the prefecture. The resolution strongly demands that the government consider the wishes of local governments and deal with the relocation plan. Camp Fuji is part of the Self-Defense Forces Higashifuji training field that is located in the east of Mt. Fuji and stretches into three municipalities in Shizuoka Prefecture. It has been used by a U.S. Marine unit in Okinawa to carry out live-fire exercises with 155 mm howitzers. The U.S. is planning to relocate the artillery unit stationed in Okinawa's Camp Hansen to Camp Fuji as part of its plan to realign its troops deployed overseas. An agreement for the use of the training field signed by the national government and the three local municipalities stated that the Camp Fuji site will be returned sometime in the future. Camp Zama The Yamato City Assembly in Kanagawa Prefecture on the same day unanimously adopted a statement in opposition to the reported plan to relocate the U.S. 1st Army Corps Command to Camp Zama located in its neighboring cities. The statement said, "It is regrettable that the government has failed to provide local municipalities with information regarding the relocation plan." It stressed that the plan will pave the way for strengthening and perpetuating the U.S. base and increase burdens on residents. Yamato City lies next to Sagamihara and Zama cities that are hosting Camp Zama. (end) |