 'Close U.S. Futenma Base! Defend Article 9!': October 21 rallies Calling for withdrawal of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station from Okinawa and the defense of the Constitution's Article 9, rallies were held in Tokyo and Osaka on October 21 by the "Cut Military Expenditure and Improve Welfare and Education" People's Big Movement organizing committee and other organizations. In Tokyo, about 3,000 citizens took part in a rally. Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo in his speech called for a mass movement to be developed in protest against the Liberal Democratic Party's inability to resolve bribery scandals, as well as questions regarding the pension system, tax reform, and U.S. military bases. Concerning the U.S. helicopter crash incident in August in Okinawa, the rally received a solidarity message from Mayor Iha Yoichi of Ginowan City in Okinawa where the U.S. Marine Corps air station is located. Nishizato Hiroko, who lives near the helicopter crash site, attended the rally and emphasized that "U.S. bases are unacceptable anywhere in Japan." Tokyo University Professor Komori Yoichi emphasized the need to accelerate movements against the planned arbitrary revision of the Fundamental Law of Education. After the rally, the participants marched in demonstration to the Diet Building. In Osaka, about 2,000 people attended the rally and confirmed that public support for a lawsuit calling for a ban on Self-Defense Forces dispatch to Iraq has been spreading. They resolved to continue the struggle in solidarity with Okinawan people against U.S. bases. (end) |