2,500 townspeople rally against U.S. Marine Corps Futenma base integration with U.S. Air Force Kadena base

Japan Press Weekly

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

2,500 townspeople rally against U.S. Marine Corps Futenma base integration with U.S. Air Force Kadena base

Mayor Miyagi Tokujitsu of Kadena Town in Okinawa Prefecture led a rally of 2,500 townspeople on November 7 to voice their opposition to Foreign Minister Okada Katsuya’s recent proposal to move U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station operations in Ginowan City to the U.S. Kadena Air Force Base.

In Kadena, 14,000 residents are deprived of their right to live in peace due to the constant sonic booms from fighter jets based at the Kadena base.

The main slogans of the rally were: (1) Stop the integration of Futenma functions with the Kadena base; (2) Reduce the operations at the U.S. Kadena Air Force Base to ensure quiet nights for the residents; and (3) Stop the strengthening of the U.S. Kadena base functions.

Speaking on behalf of the organizers, Mayor Miyagi stated: “Foreign Minister Okada’s statement goes against the promise the Democratic Party made during the House of Representatives general election to stop any further steps that will force Okinawans to endure additional burden of U.S. military bases. Mr. Okada must withdraw his proposal to move the MCAS Futenma functions to the Kadena base. Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio should carry out his promise to the public. We will never condone such an irresponsible integration plan.”

Participants responded to the mayor’s call with exuberant applause.

The adopted resolution points out that the integration plan, which surfaced in 1996 when the Japanese and U.S. governments agreed on the Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO), was rejected in the face of firm opposition from townspeople as well as local governments surrounding the Kadena base.

Stating that 83 percent of the Kadena town area has been expropriated by the U.S. forces, the resolution demands that the foreign minister retract his call for Futenma base operation to be integrated with the Kadena base because the plan, if implemented, will pose greater danger to Kadena residents.

Kadena Town Assembly Chair Tazaki Hiromi in his speech urged the government of Prime Minister Hatoyama to negotiate with the United States by honoring the wishes of Kadena residents instead of giving in to U.S. pressure.

Shinjo Takeshi, Kadena High School student body president, said, “Kadena residents are disturbed many times every day by sonic booms. We want a quiet life as we attend classes, participate in extra-curricular activities, or have conversations with friends.”

After the rally, participants walked in a demonstration through the streets of the “base town.”

- Akahata, November 8, 2009