September 29, 2012
In protest against the planned deployment of U.S. Marine Corps MV22 Osprey to Okinawa, all members of the prefectural assembly on September 28 waged a sit-in demonstration in front of the assembly building in Naha City.
Assembly chair Kina Masaharu said, “The Japanese and the U.S. governments should listen to the voices of opposition from Okinawa and have renewed discussions. With an unwavering resolve, let’s work together for the withdrawal of the deployment plan.”
Referring to the September 9 massive protest rally in which more than 100,000 Okinawans participated, Tamaki Yoshikazu of the rally’s organizing committee, criticized the government by saying, “Okinawans’ struggles are intensifying day by day. The state should understand local people’s earnest desire to stop the aircraft from being based in the prefecture.”
Representatives of political parties, including the Japanese Communist, the Liberal Democratic, and the Social Democratic parties, and some independents gave speeches in support.
JCP representative Toguchi Osamu said, “Opposition to the Osprey deployment and demand for the closure and removal of the Futenma base are Okinawan people’s unshaken resolution. The two governments should abandon the deployment plan immediately.”
Chair of the assembly steering committee Maeda Masaaki (JCP) called on the participants, “In order for our children and grandchildren to be able to live without anxiety, let’s unite to spread our objection to the Osprey deployment to the rest of the country and to the world.”
In front of Gate 3 of the Futenma base in Ginowan City, a protest action has taken place since September 27, the day before the initially scheduled date for deploying the Osprey to the base.
Assembly chair Kina Masaharu said, “The Japanese and the U.S. governments should listen to the voices of opposition from Okinawa and have renewed discussions. With an unwavering resolve, let’s work together for the withdrawal of the deployment plan.”
Referring to the September 9 massive protest rally in which more than 100,000 Okinawans participated, Tamaki Yoshikazu of the rally’s organizing committee, criticized the government by saying, “Okinawans’ struggles are intensifying day by day. The state should understand local people’s earnest desire to stop the aircraft from being based in the prefecture.”
Representatives of political parties, including the Japanese Communist, the Liberal Democratic, and the Social Democratic parties, and some independents gave speeches in support.
JCP representative Toguchi Osamu said, “Opposition to the Osprey deployment and demand for the closure and removal of the Futenma base are Okinawan people’s unshaken resolution. The two governments should abandon the deployment plan immediately.”
Chair of the assembly steering committee Maeda Masaaki (JCP) called on the participants, “In order for our children and grandchildren to be able to live without anxiety, let’s unite to spread our objection to the Osprey deployment to the rest of the country and to the world.”
In front of Gate 3 of the Futenma base in Ginowan City, a protest action has taken place since September 27, the day before the initially scheduled date for deploying the Osprey to the base.
