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

Don't use tax money for U.S. Marine Corps relocation to Guam: JCP Kasai

At the House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting on February 20, Japanese Communist Party representative Kasai Akira demanded that the government retract a plan to bear the cost for the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps units stationed in Okinawa to Guam.

Asked by Kasai to cite the total amount of tax money used for the stationing of U.S. forces in Japan since 1978, Kawai Chikao, director-general of the Foreign Ministry North American Affairs Bureau, said that it is 12.96 trillion yen.

Citing the report that the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps units from Okinawa to Guam will cost 7.6 billion dollars, Kasai asked the Foreign Ministry official if the government has ever used tax money to strengthen a U.S. base on U.S. territory. Kawai answered that there has been no such case.

Foreign Minister Aso Taro said, "The strengthening of the U.S. base in Guam is useful because it guarantees Japan's security."
- Akahata, February 21, 2006