JCP chair discusses ways to rebuild Okinawa's economy without depending on U.S. bases

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on May 19 explained the JCP's policy for reconstructing the Okinawan economy without depending on a U.S. military presence in Okinawa.

Shii was speaking to an audience of about 1,600 at a JCP public assembly held in Naha City in preparation for July's Upper House election.

The JCP chair pointed out that Okinawans will not be relieved of the present suffering even if U.S. bases in Okinawa are relocated under government policy. "The task now is for Okinawans to unite on the demand that U.S. bases be removed," he said.

Concerning the reconstruction of the Okinawan economy, Shii made a three-point proposal: national expenditure must not be tied to considerations of U.S. bases and national policies; greater attention should be paid to local economic development; and the dismantling of U.S. bases.

Referring to the economic development of northern Okinawa which the government has presented in return for the acceptance of the plan to construct a U.S. base near Nago City, Shii warned of the burdens the local government will have to shoulder.

He said that the larger part of the project will be undertaken by big construction companies from the mainland, which means that it will not benefit the local economy. (end)