Three municipalities around Kadena Air Base united in their strong opposition to the integration plan with Futenma
In a news briefing held on May 19 in the Chatan Town Hall, with other board members of the Liaison Council, new chairwoman Mitsuko Tomon (third from left), voices her opposition to the Kadena-Futenma Base Integration Plan.
May 20, 2011 Ryukyu Shimpo
At a press conference held at the Chatan Town Hall on May 19, the mayors of Okinawa City, Chatan and Kadena Town and the chairpeople of their three assemblies, namely the group of six that makes up the Trilateral Liaison Council concerning U.S. Kadena Airbase, declared their opposition to the plan put to the U.S. Government by three leading senators to consolidate the Futenma U.S. Marine Air Station into the Kadena Air Base. In their statement, the local representatives said, “We are totally opposed to this, whatever reasons or conditions are put forward.” They also urged the government to take swift action to mitigate noise pollution.
In the Liaison Council’s general assembly, held prior to meeting the press, Okinawa City mayor Mitsuko Tomon was approved as the new chairwoman along with other members of the board, and the 2011 budget and action policy were approved.
Tomon said, “We declare our opposition to any move towards the integration of the facilities and functions at Futenma into those of Kadena.”
Within their action policy they will enter into discussion and exchange views with officials of the central and prefectural governments, as well as the Kadena Air Base Commander about resolving the base issues. They want to meet Governor Hirokazu Nakaima to convey their message of opposition to the Kadena-Futenma integration Base Plan as quickly as possible.
The trilateral liaison council was established in 1996 in order to oppose the relocation of some functions of Futenma to Kadena.
(English Translation by T&CT, Mark Ealey）
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