Japanese Residents Reject U.S. Military Bases

TOKYO, The head of three cities in one region of the island of Japan reportedly informed U.S. military bases, Wednesday (15/4/2010) they will write a letter to President Barack Obama to say their rejection of government plans. Center of the dispute is about their government’s decision to review the agreement in 2006, to move the Marine Corps Air Base in Funtenma, Okinawa, from residential areas to the coast is more isolated, on the island.

Media reported that the Japanese government plans to move the base to Tokunoshima, an island in Kagoshima prefecture, in northern Okinawa. The government did not confirm those reports, but Takunoshima residents have voiced opposition to the plan, with about 4000 people to do demonstrations to protest the plan last month.

“All three mayors Tokunoshima, which if added together to reach approximately 27,000 residents, is now preparing a letter to be sent to the President of the United States, Barack Obama,” said one of the three mayor, Akira Okubo. The draft letter said: “We, all inhabitants of the island, protesting against the relocation of an air base to Tokunoshima. Subtropical island and we are still rich with the natural environment,” wrote the mayor.

“We still love to live in this beautiful Tokunoshima, as now, and for future generations.” The island is part of the Amami Islands, which is considered important strategically positioned as the place closest to North Korea and the Taiwan Strait – both are potentially vulnerable who need the U.S. military deployment.

Third mayor is also preparing another protest, namely the demonstration on Sunday, which they said would involve about 10,000 residents. “We will also send photos of the demonstration was to President Obama,” said Okubo. Prime Minister of Japan, Yukio Hatoyama, has been struggling for months to find a solution that will satisfy the people of Okinawa island, part of Japan’s southernmost prefecture, and demands that U.S. security, the importance of allies.

Hatoyama said in Washington, he had promised Obama will solve the dispute over the base in late May, despite the fact that the people of Okinawa has long been angered by the presence of many U.S. military.

Japanese media speculate, Hatoyama may resign if he failed to resolve the dispute, before the time-limit which he set out. Obama’s government insisted on the relocation plan in 2006, but has also promised to consider a counter proposal. However, some U.S. acting privately voiced exasperation at what they regard as the Japanese government indecision.

tsunami Hit Japan As high as 1.2 meter

Tokyo   Tsunami waves as tall as 120 centimeters hit the Pacific coast, the region Iwate, Japan, at around 13:46 pm. A total of 320 thousand Japanese residents were evacuated to safety. This was conveyed by Japan Meteorological Agency, as reported by AFP, Minggu (28/2/2010). Earlier Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning of major coastal areas of Japan are in direct contact with the Pacific. The wave height is expected to reach more than 3 meters.

As a result of this tsunami, the Japanese evacuated the 320 thousand residents in the eastern coastal areas in contact with the Pacific Ocean, as areas Aomori, Iwate, and Miyagi. In the meantime, a northern port in Nemuro, Japan, affected by flooding caused by the tsunami. “Please do not go near any coastal region,” appealed the Prime Minister of Japan, Yukio Hatoyama, in particular national speech facing the threat of a tsunami caused by the earthquake Chile.

The first recorded tsunami waves as high as 10 centimeters Minamitori flicked a small island located 1.950 kilometers south of Tokyo. However, the height increasing until it reaches 120 centimeters. Japan Meteorological Agency warned that the wave height can be increased. The first wave may not be the biggest wave. Tsunami warning and seems to be valid for a long time. “The wave could reach the mainland, so for safety you must evacuate to higher ground from the estimated tsunami wave height,” says the Japan Meteorological Agency, Yasuo About a, warned citizens.