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Recently, strong opposition has been voiced in Japan against the US-Japan war drill.

As already reported, a large-scale actual manoeuvre is going on frantically from June 20, involving some 9 600 troops of the US marine corps and Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force in different parts of Kyushu and Okinawa, rousing public criticism and denunciation.

Residents of Kumamoto prefecture issued a statement in protest against it. 

Expressing serious concern over the low-altitude flights of US transport planes to be conducted during the actual manoeuvre, the statement warned that the drill would destabilize the regional situation and deteriorate the relations with neighbouring countries.

A civic organization in Okinawa prefecture held a press conference to strongly demand an immediate stop of the war drill, noting that it has negative effects on the residents’ daily life.

Such protest actions are reportedly being staged in different parts of the prefecture.

Foreign media said that US-Japan joint military exercises have been frequently staged in the archipelago despite the opposition of Japanese residents in recent years, adding this sparks off vigilance on the part of neighbouring countries.