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

Government disappointed by Iwakuni residents' rejection

Despite their stated position that the U.S. military realignment plan will be carried out regardless of the referendum result, the government and ruling parties could not hide their disappointment at the March 12 Iwakuni citizens' plebiscite.

Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Takebe Tsutomu on March 13 commented, "I find it truly regrettable and am concerned that a tendency of putting more priority on local interests than on national security is increasing."

Asked by reporters on the same day whether or not he would review the relocation plan, Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro curtly answered, "No." Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe Shinzo also stated that the outcome of the poll does not affect Japan-U.S. military talks.

On March 12, the day the referendum results came out, a Defense Agency official said, "The government's explanation failed to aquire Iwakuni citizens' understanding." Another government official said, "To have them understand, the government will attentively explain to the Iwakuni city government."

Katayama Toranosuke, secretary general of the LDP caucus in the House of Councilors said, "Security and defense are governmental affairs. The referendum is a kind of local egoism."
- Akahata, March 13, 14, 2006