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

More bases can be sought for U.S. air exercise

U.S. Air Force flight exercises currently conducted mainly at the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa may be held at any base in Japan despite the government's explanation suggesting six candidate sites, a Defense Agency senior official admitted.

The revelation came on March 24 at a House of Councilors committee meeting as a response by the Defense Agency's defense policy bureau chief, Ofuru Kazuo, to a question by Japanese Communist Party representative Kami Tomoko.

The Defense Agency has so far explained that U.S. flight exercises will be transferred from the U.S. Kadena base to Japan's Air Self Defense Force bases in Chitose (Hokkaido), Hyakuri (Ibaraki Prefecture), Komatsu (Ishikawa Prefecture), Tsuiki (Fukuoka Prefecture), Nyutabaru (Miyazaki Prefecture) and the U.S. Misawa Air Base (Aomori Prefecture) under the U.S. military realignment plan.

Ofuru said, "Japan-U.S. joint military exercises may require the U.S. forces to use other ASDF bases as well."

Kami pointed out that the Defense Agency position then is to allow the U.S. forces to use any base in Japan and said, "This is nothing but an unlimited strengthening of bases."

Ofuru also revealed that the Defense Agency is considering constructing new facilities, including aircraft hangars and standby spaces at bases where the U.S. flight exercises will be transferred into.

Arguing that construction of such facilities will perpetuate the U.S. flight exercises, Kami demanded a withdrawal of the plan and removal of the U.S. bases from Japan.
- Akahata, March 25, 2006