October 10, 2018
Diet policy chiefs of five opposition parties including the Japanese Communist Party and one political group met with the newly-elected Okinawa Governor, Tamaki Denny, at the Okinawa prefectural government office on October 9 and confirmed their commitment to work together to achieve an Okinawa without a new base in Henoko.
JCP Kokuta Keiji said to the new governor who was previously in the same position in the Liberal Party as Kokuta, "Many difficulties lie ahead of us, but Okinawa citizens rebuffed pressure exerted by state power and enticements of money. We, as each party's Diet policy chiefs, have been cooperating with each other. I hope we will continue to work together."
Governor Tamaki said, "In addition to the Henoko base issue, I have to also handle the issue of amendments to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The situation of the excessive base burdens imposed on Okinawa has been causing distortions in the Japan-U.S. alliance. I will send a clear message to the U.S. regarding my stance in these issues as Okinawa governor.
Earlier on the same day, Tamaki held talks with Miyakoshi Mitsuhiro, the minister in charge of Okinawa affairs, at the prefectural government office.
In the meeting, Tamaki told Miyakoshi that putting a limit to the number of U.S. bases in Okinawa will produce not only practical solutions to Okinawa's heavy base burdens but also positive effects on the local economy contributing to the wellbeing of Okinawa.
To the State Minister for Okinawa, Tamaki handed a written request demanding that a sufficient budget for Okinawa's interests be secured, the aircraft noise pollution and dangers due to the U.S. Futenma air base in Ginowan City be reduced, and the Futenma base site be returned to Japan without delay.
Past related articles:
> Okinawans again choose opponent of Henoko project as their governor [October 2, 2018]
> Abe gov't makes mockery of Okinawa's election result: JCP Koike [October 2, 2018]
> Anti-base Okinawans achieve historic victory in Okinawa governor race: JCP Chair Shii[October 1, 2018]
JCP Kokuta Keiji said to the new governor who was previously in the same position in the Liberal Party as Kokuta, "Many difficulties lie ahead of us, but Okinawa citizens rebuffed pressure exerted by state power and enticements of money. We, as each party's Diet policy chiefs, have been cooperating with each other. I hope we will continue to work together."
Governor Tamaki said, "In addition to the Henoko base issue, I have to also handle the issue of amendments to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The situation of the excessive base burdens imposed on Okinawa has been causing distortions in the Japan-U.S. alliance. I will send a clear message to the U.S. regarding my stance in these issues as Okinawa governor.
Earlier on the same day, Tamaki held talks with Miyakoshi Mitsuhiro, the minister in charge of Okinawa affairs, at the prefectural government office.
In the meeting, Tamaki told Miyakoshi that putting a limit to the number of U.S. bases in Okinawa will produce not only practical solutions to Okinawa's heavy base burdens but also positive effects on the local economy contributing to the wellbeing of Okinawa.
To the State Minister for Okinawa, Tamaki handed a written request demanding that a sufficient budget for Okinawa's interests be secured, the aircraft noise pollution and dangers due to the U.S. Futenma air base in Ginowan City be reduced, and the Futenma base site be returned to Japan without delay.
Past related articles:
> Okinawans again choose opponent of Henoko project as their governor [October 2, 2018]
> Abe gov't makes mockery of Okinawa's election result: JCP Koike [October 2, 2018]
> Anti-base Okinawans achieve historic victory in Okinawa governor race: JCP Chair Shii[October 1, 2018]
