Locals in SW Japan protest against drills by U.S. Marines
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E-mail Xinhua, February 1, 2012
Several groups of local people in Oita Prefecture in southwestern Japan on Wednesday took part in a rally to protest against the arrival of a contingent of U.S. Marines based in Okinawa Prefecture.
According to a report by Japan's Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) public broadcaster, about 30 Marines came to Japan's Ground Self- Defense Force's Hijudai range in Oita on Wednesday.
The military unit will join up with the remaining nearly 200 troops in a couple of days for the military exercise planned for selected 10 days between Feb. 10 and Feb. 20 at the range.
In front of the site, about 70 local people representing workers union or civic groups gathered to urge the immediate "stop" for the drill.
The U.S. Marines based in Okinawa began conducting drills outside Okinawa 15 years ago to alleviate the burden on Okinawa. The exercise in Oita is the 9th this time.
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