Ginowan City Assembly unanimously demands early return of U.S. Futenma base site

Japan Press Weekly

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

Ginowan City Assembly unanimously demands early return of U.S. Futenma base site

The legislature of Ginowan City in Okinawa on December 18 adopted an unanimous resolution calling for the U.S. Futenma air facility to be removed and for the base site to be returned to the city as quickly as possible.

The move came as the issue of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station is becoming a major issue in Japanese politics because the base, located in central Ginowan City, is recognized as the most dangerous U.S. base in the world in regard to the safety of nearby residents.

The resolution states, “We, Ginowan residents, are directly affected by the issue and cannot but state how concerned and apprehensive we are” about the Democratic Party-led coalition government’s arguments about how to deal with the Futenma issue, adding, “We are afraid that the starting point of the issue, which was the return of the Futenma base site, might be forgotten.”

It further states, “We cannot but have the impression that the ongoing discussion is only about where to relocate the Futenma base.”

It emphasizes that if the discussion reaches an impasse and makes the return of the base site impossible, the citizens will be forced to continue to endure the terrible situation and pay the cost for maintaining the status quo.

The resolution concludes by stating, “We want to protect the 90 thousand citizens’ lives from fear. This is why we strongly demand an end to the operation of the U.S. Futenma air facility and an early return of the base site in order to clear the city of the dangers posed by the air base.

The Ginowan City Assembly also adopted a resolution in protest against the hit-and-run incident on November 7 by a U.S. service member in Yomitan Village. It demands a swift transfer of the suspect to the Japanese police authorities and a fundamental revision to the Status of U.S. Forces Agreement.

- Akahata, December 19, 2009