The Asia-Wide Campaign against U.S.-Japanese Domination and Aggression in Asia (AWC-Japan) and its member organizations successfully conducted a two-day series of activities against the US military base in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on November 16-17. The event brought together leaders of progressive unions who believe that Japanese workers must oppose their government’s policies related to war, including the strengthening of military bases.

A forum was held on the first day where workers shared the relevant campaigns of various unions. Activists from Okinawa Island, Miyako, and Iwakuni, where the US has established extensive military bases, also attended the forum.

AWC reported that Okinawa activists shared the local population’s daily protests against the construction of a new US Marine base. The residents of Miyako Island, near Taiwan, continue to resist the extensive deployment of Japanese Self-Defense Forces on the island. Meanwhile, a peace activist from Soseong-ri, South Korea, shared the current situation of their struggle against the US THAAD base through a Zoom meeting.

The groups held a protest on the second day before the US Marine Air Station Iwakuni. This is one of the largest US military bases in Japan, where approximately 130 US fighter jets are stationed.

“The local people suffer from a serious noise problem and crimes including sexual assaults committed by the US soldiers,” stated AWC. Since 2006, residents have held annual protests against the base. They are currently opposing the US expansion of the base by 1.4 times to construct a new runway and a large complex within it.

AWC-Korea joined the protest, calling for coordinated campaigns against the US-Japan-South Korea military alliance. MIGRANTE-Japan also participated, speaking about the importance of opposing the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) and the deployment of Japanese troops to other countries.

They chanted slogans such as “Abolish the US-Japan military alliance!,” “Stop the expansion of the military throughout the country!” and “Expel US troops from Iwakuni, Okinawa, and all other places!” They also condemnd the US for its role in the genocide in Israel and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Meanwhile, the annual protest against the US X-band radar base in Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture, was held on November 19. It was organized by the Kinki Coalition against the US X-band Radar Base.