okinawa

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Henoko residents won't give an inch

About 350 people held a rally near the Henoko fishing port in opposition to the plan to construct a new U.S. base on the shoreline areas of U.S. Camp Schwab in Nago City, Okinawa.

They protested against the government's tyrannical way of pushing ahead with the construction plan of a new base to keep Okinawa as a U.S. forward deployment base in complete disregard of local governments and residents.

A Henoko resident said, "We should never give an inch to the construction plan of a new base so that Okinawas' tragic history of war will not be repeated."

Representatives from the Japanese Communist Party, the Okinawa Social Mass Party, and the Social Democratic Party of Japan were also present at the rally.

The plan to construct a new U.S. base in Henoko is part of the realignment scheme of U.S. forces in Japan agreed upon by the Japanese and U.S. governments. However, many peace organizations and environmental conservation groups are sharply reacting against the plan to reclaim Henoko's Oura Bay, a natural treasure and the habitant of the protected species of dugong. Because a new runway will be constructed close to the residential areas, there will be increased noise pollution and accidents. Local papers' opinion polls show that about 90 percent of Okinawan citizens oppose the plan. The Nago City Assembly adopted resolutions in opposition to the plan to construct a new U.S. base.
- Akahata, November 24, 2005