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

Zama mayor: Iﾕll not accept new U.S. Army Corps command even if Japan and U.S. reach agreement

Mayor Hoshino Katsuji of Zama City in Kanagawa Prefecture on April 6 stated that he will continue to refuse to accept a new U.S. Army Corps command and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Central Response Group command to U.S. Army Camp Zama in the city even if the Japanese and U.S. governments agree on the plan as part of the U.S. military realignment plan in Japan.

Hoshino stated this at a meeting with a Yokohama Regional Defense Facilities Administrative Bureau official at the city office.

The city assembly chair and a representative of the cityﾕs liaison federation of residentsﾕ associations were also at the talks.

Answering the cityﾕs questions concerning the realignment plan, the agency official emphasized that the relocation of a new U.S. Army Corps command is designed to maintain regional deterrence and that the government is comprehensively reviewing Zama Cityﾕs burdens due to the U.S. base.
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Hoshino replied, ﾒYour remarks about ﾔmaking efforts to reduce local burdensﾕ does not address our concerns about the strengthening and perpetuation of U.S. military bases in the city,ﾓ reminding him that concrete steps must be taken to reduce local burdens.
- Akahata, April 7, 2006