May 25, 2016

Akahata ‘current’ column

With the release of details about the latest arrest of an ex-U.S. marine in Okinawa for suspicion of killing a local woman and abandoning her body, the brutality of the crime has been revealed. It is reported that creeping up on the victim from behind, the suspect hit her in the head with a bat, raped her in the grass, strangled her, and finally stabbed her to death with a knife.

The suspect reportedly cruised around in his car looking for a target. Okinawans feel that this could have happened to any woman in Okinawa and that someone’s daughter or grand-daughter will be victimized. They are sharing the pain in their hearts. This attitude was cultivated through the long history of hardships caused by the U.S. military presence in the prefecture.

For 70 years since the end of WWII, U.S. bases have taken root in Okinawa. Under the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement which allows the U.S. military to act as an occupant, Okinawans are suffering human rights violations and developing a hunger of the soul. Okinawa Governor Onaga Takashi describes this feeling as heartfelt indignation of people who experienced the loss of their loved ones and livelihoods in the war and the destruction of their dignity and pride under postwar discrimination.

Although people inside and outside Okinawa are full of grief and burning anger against the brutal crime, Prime Minister Abe has said nothing about a revision of the SOFA and the cancellation of the Henoko base project.

It is unacceptable for the Japanese and U.S. governments to continue imposing military base burdens on Okinawa.

Past related article:
> Okinawans protest alleged murder of Japanese woman by ex-US marine [May 21, 2016]