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

Municipal heads support Iwakuni referendum outcome

With regard to the Iwakuni City referendum Akahata on March 15 carried the comments by two municipal heads who have been struggling to block the strengthening of functions of the military bases their cities are hosting.

Iha Yoichi, the mayor of Okinawa's Ginowan City that hosts the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station, said that the referendum has shown the strong dissatisfaction of the Iwakuni residents and the public with the government policy of putting heavier burdens on them. He stressed that the Japanese and U.S. governments must take seriously the reality that the majority of the public do not support the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan.

Yamashita Sakae, the mayor of Kanoya City in Kagoshima Prefecture, said that Iwakuni residents have raised an alarm about national policies and that the government must listen to their opinions. He also stated that his city has been opposing and will continue to oppose the plan to relocate U.S. air refueling aircraft to the Maritime Self-Defense Force Kanoya Base.
- Akahata, March 14, 2006