JCP Shii urges Hatoyama to pursue closure of Futenma base without condition

Japan Press Weekly

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JCP Shii urges Hatoyama to pursue closure of Futenma base without condition

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo criticized Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio for stating that he will not seek to settle within the year the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station operations in Ginowan City, Okinawa, and seek other options.

Speaking at the JCP Dietmembers general assembly meeting held on December 4 at the close of the Extraordinary Session of the Diet, he said, “The prime minister is trying to delay the decision and look for a replacement out of political considerations, but this will not help resolve the issue.”

Referring to Hatoyama’s remark that the option of moving the Futenma air base functions to the Henoko district of Nago City is “still alive”, Shii pointed out that the Hatoyama government is backpedaling on previous promises and vacillating on its position.

He said that the government is wavering because it fundamentally believes that the U.S. Marine Corps presence is necessary as a deterrent against enemy attacks.

“Unless the government overcomes this irrational stance, it will reach a dead end. There is no choice but to start negotiations with the U.S. government to realize the unconditional withdrawal of the Futenma base,” Shii added.

- Akahata, December 5, 2009