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Blast close to US base in JapanThere has been a small explosion near a United States' military base south of the Japanese capital, Tokyo, US officials have confirmed. The blast happened outside the Camp Zama army base around 40km (25 miles) south-west of Tokyo. Police found two pipes believed to have contained explosives close to the camp, Kyodo News agency reported. A Pentagon official said that there were no reports of injuries caused by the blast. "A small explosion was heard in the vicinity of the base," said Air Force Maj David Smith. "It did not occur on the base."...

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TOKYO (AP) -- An explosion was heard near a U.S. Army base south of Tokyo late Monday and police suspected an attempted attack on the base, Kyodo News agency reported. The blast was in the area of the U.S. Army's Camp Zama, Kyodo said. The report did not say whether there were injuries or damage. Police found parts of "launch pad" near the base, Kyodo said, and investigators suspected a "guerrilla attack." No further details were immediately available

Escalating tension with China, violently illustrated by renewed anti-Japanese protests in Shanghai and other big cities at the weekend, is increasing pressure on Tokyo to expand its military capabilities and back a deepening strategic alliance with the US reaching from east Asia to the Gulf. Japan's pacifist postwar constitution restricts its armed forces to self-defence. About 50,000 US troops in Okinawa and other bases guarantee the country's security in return for a $5bn (£2.6bn) Japanese cash contribution. But defence analysts say the perceived Chinese threat, a more assertive, nationalistic Japanese mindset, and Washington's wish to use Japan as a command...

U.S. wants to begin moving Army corps HQ to Japan in Nov Monday, August 16, 2004 at 07:20 JST WASHINGTON — The United States has told Japan it wants to begin transferring the headquarters of the U.S. Army's I Corps from Fort Lewis, Washington, to Camp Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, in November, sources close to Japan-U.S. relations said Sunday. Tokyo appears cautious about the U.S. proposal, which involves completing the transfer by April 2006, especially as the Japanese government is already faced with strong opposition from local authorities where U.S. camps and bases involved in the global realignment plan are located....