Opposition party leaders promise solidarity for victory of anti-base candidate in Okinawa gubernatorial election

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Opposition party leaders promise solidarity for victory of anti-base candidate in Okinawa gubernatorial election

Opposition party representatives on October 11 expressed their determination to join forces for the victory of Okinawa gubernatorial candidate Itokazu Keiko who opposes the construction of a new U.S. base in Okinawa. They encouraged her at a meeting held in Tokyo in which representatives of labor unions and local residents took part.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo in his speech stressed the importance of the November election for Okinawa's as well as Japan's future as it is fought over whether the construction of the new U.S. base should be allowed.

Shii said, "The five parties reached a definitive policy agreement by which a joint struggle framework has been established in firm opposition to the new base construction. By firmly standing on this position and reaching out to the prefectural residents, Itokazu will surely win. The JCP will make utmost effort."

Democratic Party Secretary General Hatoyama Yukio, Social Democratic Party President Fukushima Mizuho, and New Party Nippon leader Tanaka Yasuo also gave speeches.

Itokazu criticized the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties-backed Okinawa government for failing to adopt a clear stance on the construction of V-shaped runways on the coastline of U.S. Camp Schwab despite the fact that 75 percent of Okinawans have expressed opposition to the plan.

She said, "Having been forced to host 75 percent of all U.S. bases in Japan, Okinawans have been denied our constitutionally guaranteed minimum standard of living. I have decided to run for the election in order to prevent our children from having to inherit this negative heritage into the future." She expressed her determination to confront the Japanese and U.S. governments with the strength of Okinawans' support.
- Akahata, October 12, 2006