 Local protest arises against use of civil airport by U.S. Marines in Okinawa On November 28, about 2,000 residents held a rally in Hirara City in Okinawa in protest against a reported plan to allow U.S. Marines to use the civil airport in Okinawa's Shimochi Island. It was jointly organized by 45 organizations representing a broad political spectrum in order to block the relocation of the U.S. Marines from Okinawa's main island to their community. On behalf of the organizing committee, Hirara City Mayor Ishimine Akira said, "We must not allow Shimochi-shima Airport to be used to kill human beings. Let us show the Japanese and U.S. governments our firm opposition to military bases." Japanese Communist Party Dietmember Akamine Seiken, who took part in the rally, visited Shimochi-shima Airport with JCP local assembly members on the same day. He said, "I recognized anew the important role of the airport as Japan's only training site for civil pilots. As there are diving spots near the airport, the rich natural environment attracts tourists. A military use of the airport will prevent development of the local economy." Shimochi-shima Airport Shimochi-shima Airport was opened in 1979 in Shimochi Island, which is located between Okinawa's main island and Taiwan. In 1971, before Okinawa was returned to Japan, Japan's government and Okinawa's Ryukyu government signed an agreement that the airport will be used only for civil purposes. In disregard of local protests, U.S. Marine helicopters have landed on the Shimochi-shima Airport since 2001 for refueling on their way to military exercises in the Philippines. The U.S. Marines reportedly plans to use the Shimochi-shima Airport until an alternative site for their Futenma Air Station in Okinawa's Ginowan City is constructed in the sea off the Henoko district of Nago City. It is also reported that the Japanese and U.S. governments plan to relocate fighter plane units of the Air Self-Defense Force to the airport and use it as a joint exercise site for U.S. forces and the SDF. (end) |