September 18, 2023
More than 100 lawmakers of Okinawa's city, town, and village assemblies on September 16 formed a group to show the real strength of the Okinawan opposition to the construction of a new U.S. base in the sea off the Henoko area in Nago City.
Initiators of the group at a press conference in Naha City explained that they will once again demonstrate their opposition to the Henoko base project in response to the recent Supreme Court judgement in which the Okinawa prefectural government lost the case over the design change in the Henoko base project.
As of September 16, the group received approval from 107 assemblymembers of 28 cities, towns, and villages. It said it will solicit more assemblypersons. All JCP assemblypersons in Okinawa, including the JCP members' groups in the Naha City Assembly and the Tomigusuku City Assembly, joined the anti-base Okinawa lawmakers' group.
The newly-formed group criticizes the top court decision for ignoring the demands of Okinawans and for denying the principle of local autonomy. The group declares that it will support Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny who has been voicing his objection to the Henoko base project and will work to establish true autonomy in Okinawa.
At the press conference, Yomitan Village Assemblymember Yonaha Saki said, "Local assemblymembers have a close connection with residents. We can directly encourage them to never give up." Chatan Town Assemblymember Nakasone Yumi said, "It will be meaningful for us to show the central government that Okinawans and Okinawa lawmakers are not giving up." Nago City Assemblymember Takayama Yuzo said, "I'd like all Okinawans to be aware that we have the right to self-determination."
Past related article:
> Supreme Court virtually okays soft-ground improvement work for new US base in Okinawa [September 5, 2023]
Initiators of the group at a press conference in Naha City explained that they will once again demonstrate their opposition to the Henoko base project in response to the recent Supreme Court judgement in which the Okinawa prefectural government lost the case over the design change in the Henoko base project.
As of September 16, the group received approval from 107 assemblymembers of 28 cities, towns, and villages. It said it will solicit more assemblypersons. All JCP assemblypersons in Okinawa, including the JCP members' groups in the Naha City Assembly and the Tomigusuku City Assembly, joined the anti-base Okinawa lawmakers' group.
The newly-formed group criticizes the top court decision for ignoring the demands of Okinawans and for denying the principle of local autonomy. The group declares that it will support Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny who has been voicing his objection to the Henoko base project and will work to establish true autonomy in Okinawa.
At the press conference, Yomitan Village Assemblymember Yonaha Saki said, "Local assemblymembers have a close connection with residents. We can directly encourage them to never give up." Chatan Town Assemblymember Nakasone Yumi said, "It will be meaningful for us to show the central government that Okinawans and Okinawa lawmakers are not giving up." Nago City Assemblymember Takayama Yuzo said, "I'd like all Okinawans to be aware that we have the right to self-determination."
Past related article:
> Supreme Court virtually okays soft-ground improvement work for new US base in Okinawa [September 5, 2023]
