U.S. base watchdog says state secrets law will deal it heavy blow

27 Novembre 2013 , Rédigé par ileridefense Publié dans #Asie

YOKOSUKA, Kanagawa Prefecture--Rimpeace, a citizens group that tracks U.S. military activity in Japan, fears that it is about to fall afoul of impending legislation on information to be designated as a state secret.

Its members are increasingly concerned that the state secrets protection bill currently before the Diet will impinge on its work. They point out that military information will inevitably be classified as secret.

Under the slogan of “Going after U.S. forces in Japan,” Rimpeace has been active for 17 years.

The group was set up in 1996, mainly by assembly members of municipalities that host U.S. bases. For the first few years, members exchanged information through fax.

It then started its own website offering all sorts of information about U.S. forces in Japan. The site racked up more than 5.1 million hits this autumn.

With just 10 or so members, the group keep track of arrivals and departures of U.S. warships as well as takeoffs and landings of aircraft. It also monitors the loading and unloading of ammunition, changes of equipment at docks and citizens’ complaints about deafening aircraft noise.

It gets much of its information on the noise pollution from local governments. In addition, the site stays abreast of anti-U.S. base activity and posts on-scene photos.

The sheer volume of information offered means that not only anti-U.S. base activists access the site, but also those who are obsessed with military affairs.

Wataro Rai, 65, the editor in chief of Rimpeace, said its aim is to offer basic information so that people can better understand security and military base issues.

Visitors to the website leave all sorts of comments. One recent post said: “What you are doing is only benefiting China and North Korea. It is beyond people’s rights to know.”

In an e-mail reply, members of Rimpeace asked, “What parts (of our activities) are you referring to?” They never got a response.

Some Rimpeace members fear that once the state secrets protection bill becomes law, they could fall under its sweeping powers. They cite the fact that photos now available for all to see could soon be designated as state secrets.

Rai fears that the group’s activities will have little public support in the future.

“Once the state secrets protection bill becomes law, people may think that it is not their place to know military information because it is a state secret," he said. "At that time, will they overlook my activity that keeps binoculars and cameras trained on U.S. bases ?”

By Fumiaki SONOYAMA

The Asashi Shimbun

2013.11.24

Wataro Rai, editor in chief of citizens group Rimpeace, watches movements at the U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base in Kanagawa Prefecture on Nov. 6. (Fumiaki Sonoyama)

Partager cet article