July 1, 2026
The U.S. Forces Japan on June 30 returned about 43 hectares of its Negishi housing area which stretches across the Naka, Minami, and Isogo wards of Yokohama City.
In 2004, the Japanese and U.S. governments agreed to the return of around 419 hectares of land, including the Negishi housing area, on the condition that an additional 700 or more U.S. housing units are built in Yokohama City. Following this return, the only remaining area agreed upon is an approximately 1-hectare enclave of the Ikego housing area.
The Japanese Communist Party Yokohama City Assemblymembers’ Group commented, “While we welcome the return of the land itself, it does not bring back the time lost by residents who have suffered for many years. We will provide support so they can resume their normal lives as soon as possible. Regarding the use of the returned site, we will do our utmost to ensure that it truly benefits Yokohama citizens.”
In the Negishi area, one family has been living on privately owned land surrounded by U.S. military facilities, suffering human rights violations such as restrictions on their freedom of movement.
In the Diet, JCP member of the House of Representatives Hatano Kimie has repeatedly demanded the return of the base land and the protection of the residents’ rights. She stated, “I pay tribute to the struggles of this family, who have long protested and fought against the Japanese government which seems to be at the mercy of the United States. I will continue to address the remaining issues.”
Past related articles:
> Construction plan for housing units for US military in Kanagawa to be canceled: Local paper [November 7, 2018]
> Local citizens demand halt to additional U.S. military housing construction [March 3, 2009]
In 2004, the Japanese and U.S. governments agreed to the return of around 419 hectares of land, including the Negishi housing area, on the condition that an additional 700 or more U.S. housing units are built in Yokohama City. Following this return, the only remaining area agreed upon is an approximately 1-hectare enclave of the Ikego housing area.
The Japanese Communist Party Yokohama City Assemblymembers’ Group commented, “While we welcome the return of the land itself, it does not bring back the time lost by residents who have suffered for many years. We will provide support so they can resume their normal lives as soon as possible. Regarding the use of the returned site, we will do our utmost to ensure that it truly benefits Yokohama citizens.”
In the Negishi area, one family has been living on privately owned land surrounded by U.S. military facilities, suffering human rights violations such as restrictions on their freedom of movement.
In the Diet, JCP member of the House of Representatives Hatano Kimie has repeatedly demanded the return of the base land and the protection of the residents’ rights. She stated, “I pay tribute to the struggles of this family, who have long protested and fought against the Japanese government which seems to be at the mercy of the United States. I will continue to address the remaining issues.”
Past related articles:
> Construction plan for housing units for US military in Kanagawa to be canceled: Local paper [November 7, 2018]
> Local citizens demand halt to additional U.S. military housing construction [March 3, 2009]
