Government must not force new U.S. base on Okinawa

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Government must not force new U.S. base on Okinawa
Akahata editorial (excerpts)

With a nod of the Okinawa prefectural government, the government will set up in August a consultative panel with Okinawa to discuss the project of constructing a new U.S. base in Nago City.

The government intends to start the construction of the new base at the earliest possible time. However, the overwhelming majority of Okinawans, including Nago residents, are opposing the new base.

The Japanese and U.S. governments agreed to construct a permanent military base equipped with two 1,800-meter-long runways, some 40 buildings including aircraft hangers and maintenance facilities, as well as a naval port on the shoreline of U.S. Camp Schwab in Nago City.

The government deceptively claims that U.S. aircraft will not fly over residential areas. But Iha Yoichi, mayor of Ginowan City that hosts the U.S. Futenma Air Station (planned to be relocated to the new U.S. base), said, "That won't be possible." At Futenma U.S. aircraft fly in all directions because U.S. Marines there conducts flight exercises in preparation for ground battles.

The government has also pretended to know nothing about the planned deployment of assault transport aircraft Osprey to the new U.S. base. The commanding general of USMC Camp Butler in Okinawa on August 23 admitted that the 1,800-meter runways to be constructed at the new U.S. base can be used by C-130 transport aircraft and the Osprey.

The Osprey is the most advanced aircraft with a flying range to go directly to battlefields in Asia. It is also a dangerous aircraft that have had many accidents. It is obvious that the new base will increase noise pollution and the risk of crashes.

Since the Japan-U.S. Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) decided in 1996 to relocate the U.S. Futenma Air Station within the prefecture, Okinawans have consistently opposed the transfer of base functions to anywhere in the prefecture. Most Nago residents and 70 percent of Okinawans are opposing the new base construction plan.

The consultative panel is aimed at constructing the new U.S. base in disregard of Okinawans' popular will.

The Okinawa prefectural government has accepted the establishment of a consultative panel because Defense Agency Director General Nukaga Fukushiro said that the panel may discuss Okinawa Prefecture's idea to transfer the functions of the U.S. Futenma Air Station to a "temporary heliport" to be constructed at U.S. Camp Schwab.

This idea, however, has drawn harsh criticism from Okinawans since it will inevitably lead to allowing the construction of the new base. The removal of U.S. Futenma Station from Japan is the only way to get rid of the danger posed by the base.
- Akahata, August 28, 2006