March 12, 2010
A delegation of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly on March 11 made representations to the defense and foreign ministers, the chief cabinet secretary, and the state minister in charge of Okinawa, requesting that the government move the U.S. Futenma base out of Okinawa.
The delegation represented all parties in the assembly (JCP, DPJ, SDP, LDP, Komei, Okinawa Social Mass Party, and independents). They came to Tokyo with a unanimous resolution calling for the immediate return of the Futenma base.
The delegation said, “As expressed in our resolution adopted on February 24 by all 48 assembly members, we have come here to ask the central government to understand the demand of Okinawans.”
JCP Okinawa representative Kayo Sogi stated, “If you really intend to place Japan-U.S. ties an equal footing, you should negotiate the unconditional return of the Futenma base with the U.S. government.”
Defense Minister Kitazawa Toshimi met with the delegation for only two and a half minutes. He replied, “The government will soon come up with a decision and we are willing to then discuss with you what we decided.”
- Akahata, March 12, 2010
The delegation said, “As expressed in our resolution adopted on February 24 by all 48 assembly members, we have come here to ask the central government to understand the demand of Okinawans.”
JCP Okinawa representative Kayo Sogi stated, “If you really intend to place Japan-U.S. ties an equal footing, you should negotiate the unconditional return of the Futenma base with the U.S. government.”
Defense Minister Kitazawa Toshimi met with the delegation for only two and a half minutes. He replied, “The government will soon come up with a decision and we are willing to then discuss with you what we decided.”
- Akahata, March 12, 2010
