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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

'Don't relocate U.S. Army Corps to U.S. Army Camp Zama' -- 200,000 signatures collected in Sagamihara

The city administration of Sagamihara in Kanagawa Prefecture together with its citizens has collected more than 200,000 signatures calling for the planned U.S. Army 1st Corps command's relocation to U.S. Army Camp Zama to be canceled.

On July 27, Mayor Ogawa Isao said to reporters that the goal of collecting 200,000 signatures was achieved in less than a month.

Zama City, which also hosts the Camp, has collected about 60,000 signatures with similar demands, almost half of the city's population.

U.S. Camp Zama, U.S. Sagami Supply Depot, and Sagamihara Family Housing Area are located in Sagamihara City with a population of 620,000. Citizens have long been suffering from noise pollution caused by touch-and-go and other flight exercises by carrier-based aircraft flying to and from U.S. Naval Atsugi Air Station, which is next to the city.

The signature collection drive has been promoted by an ad hoc council composed of 37 organizations, including the city, the assembly, and regional residential associations.

The petition that also urges the U.S. forces to stop making extremely excessive aircraft noise pollution will be submitted to Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro in early September. -- Akahata, July 28, 2005