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

Lawless's cost estimate of 3 trillion yen is lawless: Shii

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on a TV program aired on April 26 said that a total of three trillion yen Japan is forced to pay for the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan is "completely outrageous and unreasonable."

Shii pointed out that the planned relocation of U.S. Marine Corps commands from Okinawa to Guam will not ease Okinawa's burden but will strengthen the U.S. forces in line with the U.S. global strategy, and that the cost Japan will bear includes facilities for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force as well.

Shii said, "It is not reasonable for Japan to bear the construction costs of U.S. facilities on U.S. territory. What's more, the cost concerning the Navy and Air Force has nothing to do with Okinawa."

Citing the recent mayoral elections in Okinawa City and Iwakuni City in which candidates opposing the U.S. military realignment plan won, he said that the imposition of the plan in disregard of public opinion is unacceptable.
- Akahata, April 27, 2006