Give Itokazu victory to stop U.S. base construction in Okinawa: JCP Ichida

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Give Itokazu victory to stop U.S. base construction in Okinawa: JCP Ichida

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi visited Naha City in Okinawa on October 28, and called on local residents to support Itokazu Keiko, the opposition candidate in the Okinawa gubernatorial election (scheduled for November 19) who firmly opposes the construction of a new U.S. base in the prefecture.

Itokazu, who is jointly backed by five opposition parties, stated before 800 people gathered in front of the prefectural government building, "I will tolerate no move that will lead us to wars. We must not force the next generation to shoulder the base burdens."

Iha Yoichi, the mayor of Ginowan City where the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station is located, also made a speech in support of Itokazu.

Ichida stressed that the crucial issue in this gubernatorial election is whether or not a new stronghold for the U.S. strike forces will be allowed to be constructed in Okinawa.

Ichida stated, "This election is being fought between local residents and the central government as well as the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties that are trying to impose the new base on you. Let us win in this election and make the whole nation hear Okinawa's call of 'No to the new base!'."

Ichida also pointed out that in the last eight years since the conservative forces took over Okinawa's progressive government, the prefecture's unemployment rate has increased, residents' incomes have decreased, and welfare programs have been cut.

Emphasizing that residents' living conditions cannot be defended by an LDP-Komei prefectural government relying on economic stimulus programs provided by the national government in exchange for Okinawa's base burden, Ichida called on the audience to establish a residents-oriented prefectural government with Itokazu's victory.

Ichida stressed that Itokazu's victory will not only stop the imposition of the new base in Okinawa but also help to block the implementation of the U.S. forces realignment plan and the building of new bases across the nation.
- Akahata, October 29, 2006