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.

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama for fundraising scandal

Yukio Hatoyama

TOKYO Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama apologized after two former aides were charged Thursday with making false financial reports but refused to step down, saying he did not know about the dubious money.Prosecutors charged former aides Keiji Katsuba, 59, and Daisuke Haga, 55, with violating laws on political funds, a prosecutors’ statement said. The allegedly falsified reports involved nearly 400 million yen ($4.4 million) in contributions.The scandal has dominated recent Japanese media coverage and cast doubts about the new government of Hatoyama’s Democratic Party, which took power in September. The parliamentary election win ended the rule of the Liberal Democrats that had continued almost uninterrupted since World War II.The two former aides are accused of listing dead people as donors to hide where political money came from, as well as underreporting some donations, according to prosecutors.Hatoyama, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, bowed deeply to apologize for the trouble he caused his supporters and the people of Japan. Prosecutors said the prime minister will not face any charges.”I feel a deep responsibility,” Hatoyama said at the hastily called press conference at a Tokyo hotel. “If there is a big cry for Hatoyama to quit, then I will respect that. But I will work hard to avoid that.”

He said he did not gain personally from the dubious money and was unaware of the activities of his aides, who resigned once the scandal broke in recent months.Sadakazu Tanigaki, head of the opposition Liberal Democrats, lashed out at Hatoyama, hinting he should resign.”This makes a mockery of hardworking taxpayers,” Tanigaki said on nationally televised news. “He should promptly take political responsibility.”

Some of the donations related to the aides’ charges came from Hatoyama’s mother and older sister, prosecutors said.Hatoyama hails from a rich family, and his grandfather was a prime minister.Hatoyama acknowledged he received 15 million yen ($170,000) per month from his mother to support his political activities, saying he would pay back taxes and penalties of more than 600 million yen ($6.7 million) dating back to 2002.

The charges are another blow to Hatoyama, who has seen support ratings for his government fall gradually after the parliamentary elections that swept him to power.Japan has been fighting a sluggish economy, and Hatoyama’s policies to curb greenhouse gas emissions have been unpopular in corporate circles. The Democrats have also flip-flopped on policies on taxes, cash payments for children and security relations with the U.S.