Japan Press Weekly

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2018 October 17 - 23 [POLITICS]

State launches attack on Okinawa’s revocation of Henoko landfill approval

The Defense Ministry’s Okinawa Defense Bureau on October 17 filed with the Land Minister a complaint based on a relevant law against the Okinawa Prefectural government regarding its decision to revoke the Henoko landfill approval for the construction of a U.S. base. The defense bureau also requested the minister to suspend the revocation decision. This will make it possible for Tokyo to resume the landfill work if these demands are accepted.

Following the filing of the complaint by the defense bureau, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira held a press conference in the Diet building, saying, “Even after the remarkable electoral victory of the anti-base candidate in the latest gubernatorial election, the central government is maintaining its position to push forward with the Henoko base project. That is totally unacceptable.”

Citing the fact that the Defense Ministry’s local authority explained that the filling of the complaint was made in accordance with the Administrative Complaint Review Act, Koike pointed out that the law is aimed at protecting the people’s right to lodge complaints against unjust administrative decisions or behavior. He said, “The defense authority’s act of lodging a complaint with the Land Minister against the Okinawa government’s decision constitutes the abuse of the law.”

Koike also said, “The Abe government has moved forward with its intent to reverse the revocation of the Henoko landfill approval despite the defeat of the ruling block-backed candidate in the governor race. This represents the PM Abe-led administration’s hard line against public demands. Such a stance will inevitably further provoke Okinawans’ anger. The JCP will join hands with Okinawans as well as with the All-Okinawa movement to stand up to and fight against the Abe government.”

On this day, the JCP jointly with anti-base opposition parties held a hearing on the defense bureau’s act, lodging a protest with the Defense Ministry.

In the hearing, the opposition parties criticized the local bureau’s act as the abuse of the law on administrative complaint and for undermining democracy.

Past related articles:
> Okinawans again choose opponent of Henoko project as their governor [October 2, 2018]
> Henoko reclamation approval revoked [September 1, 2018]