Small island residents oppose U.S. base construction

Japan Press Weekly

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

Small island residents oppose U.S. base construction

The small southern island of Tokunoshima in Kagoshima Prefecture is listed by the government as a possible site for the “relocation” of the U.S. Futenma base in Okinawa. On March 28, about 4,200 people (one in every six residents) on the island took part in a rally against building a new military base on their island.

“We must strongly oppose the base construction for the sake of our children and grandchildren,” said a 73-year-old participant. “It is very scary to have a base on such a small island,” said another participant who moved to Tokunoshima six years ago. “We moved here because we wanted to raise our children in a quiet and peaceful environment,” she said.

A mother of two children spoke on stage saying, “Children suffer from U.S. bases. We don’t need them anywhere in Japan.”

Tokunoshima Island is 247 sq km, with a population of 26,000. The production of sugar cane and other agricultural products is the island’s major industry. The average income of residents is from 1.4 to 1.9 million yen annually, 60 to 80 percent of the average income for residents in the prefecture. Concerning this income gap, some claim that the island should receive state subsidies by accepting a U.S. base in order to boost the local economy.

A slogan adopted at the rally, however, reads, “We will promote tourism centered on agriculture. To this end, we will oppose any attempts at environmental destruction under the name of promoting the local economy.”

A worker at a local branch of JA (Agricultural Co-operative Association) said, “If a base is concentrated here, many farmers will have to give up farming. This will lead to reducing the island’s intrinsic value.”

Tokunoshima Town Mayor Takaoka Hideki, who is firmly opposed to the base relocation, said, “Residents’ opposition must be the first priority for the government to consider.” He expressed the hope to join forces with Okinawans in order to reduce their base burdens.

- Akahata, April 1, 2010