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LV INTERIOR..Parliament meeting
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SV Members applaud
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CU Funada speaking
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MV Funada looks on as MP's check votes
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SV Members applaud
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CU Funada announces result
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MV Banners PAN DOWN to marchers
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MV Opposition MP's wave to marchers
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MCU Demonstrators marching
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CI Opposition MP's wave
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SV Demonstrators waving
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GV MP's & demonstrators applauding (2 shots)
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Initials ES.2238 ES.2258



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Japanese Lower House of Parliament on Wednesday ratified the controversial agreement returning American-held Okinawa to Japanese control, by 285 votes to 73.

The Socialists and Communists boycotted the session, which saw an easy victory for the Liberal Democrats, who have 301 of the Lower House's 491 seats.

Meanwhile, in the streets of Tokyo nearly 100,000 demonstrators registered their protest, reflecting the Socialist and Communist dislike for the agreement because it means the continued presence of major U.S. bases on Okinawa.

The agreement, already ratified by the U. S. Senate, now goes to the Upper House of the Japanese Parliament, where the Liberal Democratic Party has a much smaller majority than it does in the Lower House.

SYNOPSIS: The Japanese Lower House Lower House of Parliament on Wednesday ratified the controversial agreement returning American-held Okinawa to Japanese control, by 285 votes to 73. The Speaker, Mr. Funada, called the House together for the vote despite a boycott by the Socialist and Communist Parties, whose members have stayed out of the Diet since a controversial Committee decision last week.

As the result was announced, nearly 100,000 people demonstrated against the agreement outside in the streets of Tokyo. They reflected the view of the Socialist and Communist Parties that the agreement is objectionable because it means the continued presence of U.S. military bases on Okinawa. The U.S. is giving up 34 bases on reversion but most are minor facilities. Major air bases such as Kadena, from where bombing raids on Indo-China were often carried out, will remain -- together with massive housing estates and logistics areas. The agreement, already ratified by the U.S. Senate, now goes to the Upper House of the Japanese Parliament, where the Liberal Democratic Party has a much smaller majority than it does in the Lower House.