Japanese city votes on US base

[struggle4progress]

The Japanese city of Iwakuni is voting in a referendum on Sunday on whether to accept plans to expand a local US marine base.

Though non-binding, the vote has become a symbol of local opposition to the restructuring of US forces in Japan.

The re-organisation, which will reduce overall numbers, was agreed by Tokyo and Washington in October.

Nearly 2,000 residents of another city, Zama, protested on Saturday at plans to boost US troop numbers there. <snip>

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4798086.stm

[babylonsister]

1. Anywhere near Okinawa? Fessin' up, I didn't read. nt

[struggle4progress]

2. Like Hiroshima, Iwakuni is in Chugoku.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. Yes, west of Hiroshima, I think

It's one of the stops on the Kodama (slower) Shinkansen (bullet train).