October 14, 2015
Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on October 13 released a statement expressing strong support for Okinawa Governor Onaga Takeshi’s decision to overturn the approval of a project to reclaim the sea area off the Henoko district in Nago City for the construction of a new U.S. base.
In the statement, Shii stressed that Governor Onaga made the decision in order to represent Okinawans’ firm opposition to the Henoko base construction which was repeatedly indicated in elections for Nago City mayor, Okinawa governor, and the House of Representatives. “The JCP strongly supports the governor’s decision,” said Shii.
Shii criticized Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide for his intent to resist the withdrawal of the approval and to push forward with the base construction.
Shii went on to cite the fact that in a recent opinion poll, opposition to the planned relocation of the U.S. Futenma base (Ginowan City) within Okinawa exceeded 80% and more than 70% of respondents agreed to the cancellation of the landfill approval and demanded a halt to the base construction project. “The Abe government bulldozing through the base construction without paying any attention to Okinawans’ demands has no future,” Shii added.
Shii noted that Governor Onaga expressed his hope that the revocation decision will help increase public awareness of what real democracy looks like in Japan.
Pointing out that Okinawans suffered tragically in the Battle of Okinawa and have been forced to endure the heavy burdens of U.S. bases ever since the end of the war, Shii said that what is called into question is whether Japanese outside of Okinawa will accept such a national policy fully disregarding Okinawans’ desire for no more U.S. bases.
While promising that the JCP will work hard to push the Abe government to abandon the new U.S. base construction and realize the unconditional return of the U.S. Futenma base, Shii called for strengthening anti-base movements nationwide in solidarity with Okinawans seeking an Okinawa without U.S. bases.
Past related articles:
> Okinawa Pref. Assembly supports governor’s decision to revoke approval of landfill work in Henoko [September 19, 2015]
> Okinawan opposition legislators promise to fully support Gov. Onaga [September 16, 2015]
In the statement, Shii stressed that Governor Onaga made the decision in order to represent Okinawans’ firm opposition to the Henoko base construction which was repeatedly indicated in elections for Nago City mayor, Okinawa governor, and the House of Representatives. “The JCP strongly supports the governor’s decision,” said Shii.
Shii criticized Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide for his intent to resist the withdrawal of the approval and to push forward with the base construction.
Shii went on to cite the fact that in a recent opinion poll, opposition to the planned relocation of the U.S. Futenma base (Ginowan City) within Okinawa exceeded 80% and more than 70% of respondents agreed to the cancellation of the landfill approval and demanded a halt to the base construction project. “The Abe government bulldozing through the base construction without paying any attention to Okinawans’ demands has no future,” Shii added.
Shii noted that Governor Onaga expressed his hope that the revocation decision will help increase public awareness of what real democracy looks like in Japan.
Pointing out that Okinawans suffered tragically in the Battle of Okinawa and have been forced to endure the heavy burdens of U.S. bases ever since the end of the war, Shii said that what is called into question is whether Japanese outside of Okinawa will accept such a national policy fully disregarding Okinawans’ desire for no more U.S. bases.
While promising that the JCP will work hard to push the Abe government to abandon the new U.S. base construction and realize the unconditional return of the U.S. Futenma base, Shii called for strengthening anti-base movements nationwide in solidarity with Okinawans seeking an Okinawa without U.S. bases.
Past related articles:
> Okinawa Pref. Assembly supports governor’s decision to revoke approval of landfill work in Henoko [September 19, 2015]
> Okinawan opposition legislators promise to fully support Gov. Onaga [September 16, 2015]
