Itokazu who opposes new U.S. base declares candidacy in Okinawa gubernatorial election

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Itokazu who opposes new U.S. base declares candidacy in Okinawa gubernatorial election

Supported by five opposition parties including the Japanese Communist Party, Itokazu Keiko, an independent House of Councilors member who opposes the construction of a new U.S. base in Okinawa declared on October 1 that she will run in the Okinawa gubernatorial election slated for November 19.

At a press conference held in Naha City, Itokazu expressed her determination to take over the Okinawa prefectural government from the Liberal Democratic and the Komei parties which are subservient to and heavily dependent on the central government.

Itokazu said, "Standing firm against the construction of a new base, I will reject the central government plan to construct V-shaped runways on the coastline of the Henoko District in Nago City."

Ending the present Okinawa government policy that closes the door on the establishment of a more self-reliant economy due to its subservience to the central government, Itokazu said she will promote tourism and related industries in order to develop a prefectural economy that will make full use of its subtropical environmental features.

Earlier on the day, Itokazu signed the following policy agreement with the five opposition parties (the JCP, the Okinawa Social Mass Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Party, and the Liberal League):

(1) Oppose the strengthening of base functions and the construction of a new base in accordance with the U.S. military realignment plan, aim for the reduction and removal of U.S. bases from Okinawa, and demand that the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement be drastically revised;

(2) Taking advantage of Okinawa's unique characteristics, develop a self-reliant prefectural economy not depending on military bases, boost such industries as tourism, local based agriculture and fishery as well as small- and medium-sized businesses, and increase job opportunities for young people;

(3) Put an end to the destruction of nature due to unrestrained development projects and U.S. military exercises, and focus on conservation and recovery of the invaluable natural environment;

(4) Defend the constitutional peace principle and Article 9, make use of the Constitution in prefectural government policies and residents' lives, and create an Okinawa government that is open to everybody;

(5) Oppose the adverse revision of the Fundamental Law of Education that will pave the way to wars, and promote democratic education fostering student's autonomy and consideration toward others.
- Akahata, October 2, 2006