U.S. Army Corps command relocation sparks protest of local residents

   Local residents in Kanagawa Prefecture on August 21 carried out a protest action against the U.S. Army’s establishment of a transition team for the relocation of the U.S. First Army Corps command to U.S. Camp Zama in the prefecture.

   Representatives of democratic and peace organizations, labor unions, Article 9 Associations, and the Japanese Communist Party branches in Zama and Sagamihara cities that are hosting Camp Zama visited the base and submitted a letter addressed to U.S. Army Japan Commander Elbert N. Perkins demanding that the U.S. force immediately halt its activities in preparation for the relocation.

   They also visited Zama and Sagamihara city halls and requested the city governments to adhere to their declared policy of opposing the strengthening of the base.

   Sagamihara City Mayor Kayama Toshio said to the representatives, “Seeking the return of the base site is city policy reflecting the wishes of residents. Together with residents, we will continue to take actions and petition the central government which lacks understandings of the sufferings caused by the bases in the municipalities hosting bases.”                - Akahata, August 22, 2007