No place for U.S. Marines in Japan: Ginowan City mayor

Japan Press Weekly

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

No place for U.S. Marines in Japan: Ginowan City mayor

Okinawa’s Ginowan City Mayor Iha Yoichi on October 20 criticized the United States for putting pressure on Japan to settle the issue of the controversial plan to “move” the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station within the framework of Japan-U.S. agreements.

Iha, who has consistently called for removal of the U.S. Futenma base from Japan, said “U.S. Marines have no place in Okinawa or anywhere in Japan.”

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in talks with Japan’s Foreign Minister Okada Katsuya made clear that the U.S. administration expects the Japanese government to implement the “relocation” of the Futenma base in accordance with previous Japan-U.S. agreements.

Okada just said, “The political situation in Japan is changing. You need to understand the difficult circumstances.”

“The Hatoyama government is fully aware of the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and hopes to discuss some specific issues at hand,” Okada added.

Gates said, “The Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of U.S. security policy for Asia. The U.S. administration wants to carry forward the military realignment plan of U.S. forces in Japan.”

- Akahata, October 21, 2009