Okinawans say no to F-22 deployment to Kadena

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

Okinawans say no to F-22 deployment to Kadena

More than 500 Okinawans held a rally in Chatan Town on February 10 in protest against the recent deployment of state-of-the-art U.S. F-22 stealth fighter jets to the U.S. Kadena Air Base.

With placards in their hands, participants converged on a Kadena AB gate shouting, "We will never allow more base burdens! How can you call this as a reduction in Okinawa's burden?"

A woman with her 5-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter said, "It's already so noisy. How can I live with more noise? I join this rally to show my indignation over the U.S. base that is threatening our lives and property."

Nakamura Seiyu, the plaintiffs' group leader in a Kadena base noise pollution lawsuit, said, "Courts have ruled three times that the aircraft noise pollution at the Kadena base is illegal. Based on the constitutional right to live in peace, we will never allow the government's illegal conduct."

Japanese Communist Party Dietmember Akamine Seiken in his speech called on the participants to advance the movement in solidarity with people throughout the country on whom the government is imposing heavier burdens due to the U.S. forces realignment. He said, "In light of our bitter experience of the Okinawa battle, the plan to deploy U.S. fighters that inflict more sufferings on the people in the world in the unlawful U.S. wars is absolutely unacceptable."
- Akahata, February 11, 2007