March 21, 2015
The Higashi Village Assembly in Okinawa is showing a change in its outlook with the appearance of a Japanese Communist Party assemblyperson, taking a significant step toward opposing the construction of U.S. helipads.
Higashi Village is well-known for its rich forests where many rare species are found. The construction of helicopter landing pads is underway there for the U.S. Marine Corps. Last September, JCP candidate Isa Masatsugu won a seat in the assembly election and became the first ever JCP assemblyperson in this village.
Village Mayor Iju Seikyu used to give the nod to the construction of U.S. helipads in exchange for the partial return of the U.S. Northern Training Area which intrudes on the village.
At an assembly session last December, the mayor said in response to JCP Isa’s questioning, “I am strongly requesting that the Okinawa Defense Bureau not allow heavy trucks and construction vehicles to pass through the Takae district in the village. I myself will stop them at the risk of my life if they come there.” The mayor’s remark shocked the entire assembly.
Early in February, seven assemblypersons of Higashi Village visited the Takae district to observe the sit-in protest for the first time and listened to the explanation from JCP assembly member Isa about the situation. Two weeks later, the village assembly adopted a resolution unanimously calling for a ban on the use of the U.S. helipads.
The Higashi Village Assembly has changed dramatically. When the assembly of neighboring Ogimi Village adopted a statement opposing the U.S. helipads construction last year, a Higashi Village assemblyperson complained, “It is none of Ogimi’s business!” Six months after the appearance of the JCP member to the assembly, all the Higashi Village assemblypersons now agree with the anti-helipad resolution.
Isa himself is surprised at the recent shift. He said, “This is something I never imagined would happen.” He went on to say, “Only through protecting the rich natural environment here and removing military bases from Okinawa, can we achieve the creation of appropriate industries which will be beneficial to Higashi Village. I will work hard to gain villagers’ understanding step by step for the need of a base-free Okinawa. The resolution decided on by all the assemblypersons elected by fellow villagers is giving me additional strength.”
Past related articles:
> Okinawa’s village assembly calls for banning use of US helipads [February 24, 2015]
> Anti-base candidates win majority in Nago city assembly election [September 9, 2014]
Higashi Village is well-known for its rich forests where many rare species are found. The construction of helicopter landing pads is underway there for the U.S. Marine Corps. Last September, JCP candidate Isa Masatsugu won a seat in the assembly election and became the first ever JCP assemblyperson in this village.
Village Mayor Iju Seikyu used to give the nod to the construction of U.S. helipads in exchange for the partial return of the U.S. Northern Training Area which intrudes on the village.
At an assembly session last December, the mayor said in response to JCP Isa’s questioning, “I am strongly requesting that the Okinawa Defense Bureau not allow heavy trucks and construction vehicles to pass through the Takae district in the village. I myself will stop them at the risk of my life if they come there.” The mayor’s remark shocked the entire assembly.
Early in February, seven assemblypersons of Higashi Village visited the Takae district to observe the sit-in protest for the first time and listened to the explanation from JCP assembly member Isa about the situation. Two weeks later, the village assembly adopted a resolution unanimously calling for a ban on the use of the U.S. helipads.
The Higashi Village Assembly has changed dramatically. When the assembly of neighboring Ogimi Village adopted a statement opposing the U.S. helipads construction last year, a Higashi Village assemblyperson complained, “It is none of Ogimi’s business!” Six months after the appearance of the JCP member to the assembly, all the Higashi Village assemblypersons now agree with the anti-helipad resolution.
Isa himself is surprised at the recent shift. He said, “This is something I never imagined would happen.” He went on to say, “Only through protecting the rich natural environment here and removing military bases from Okinawa, can we achieve the creation of appropriate industries which will be beneficial to Higashi Village. I will work hard to gain villagers’ understanding step by step for the need of a base-free Okinawa. The resolution decided on by all the assemblypersons elected by fellow villagers is giving me additional strength.”
Past related articles:
> Okinawa’s village assembly calls for banning use of US helipads [February 24, 2015]
> Anti-base candidates win majority in Nago city assembly election [September 9, 2014]
