Anti-US base forces win majority in Nago

Japan Press Weekly

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

Anti-US base forces win majority in Nago

On September 12, local elections took place in municipalities in Okinawa Prefecture.

In the Nago City Assembly election, JCP candidate Gushiken Toru and other 15 candidates supporting City Mayor Inamine Susumu, the opponent of the new U.S. base construction in the city's Henoko district, won the majority of seats.

In Ginowan City, hosting the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Base, JCP candidate Chinen Yoshio was reelected as a member of the city assembly.

On the following day, asked by reporters about the Nago City Assembly election results, JCP Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi said, "It is significant that those who stood against the government plan to build the new U.S. base were able to form a majority in the 27-member assembly."

In regard to the fact that Defense Minister Kitazawa Toshimi stated, "We will try to more carefully explain the government plan to local people," Ichida said, "Trying to persuade Nago citizens to accept the plan means that the government maintains the same position of forcing the local people to accept a new base. Such a position totally goes against Nago residents' demand as expressed in the election. The need now is for the government to acknowledge its recognition of the popular demand and to earnestly negotiate with the United States."

The Japanese Communist Party secured 17 seats in the assemblies of five cities and eight towns and villages, including Nago and Ginowan cities, while failing to win two seats in two village assemblies.

- Akahata, September 14, 2010