Japan Press Weekly

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2010 April 14 - 20 TOP3 [US FORCES]

60% of Tokunoshima islanders say ‘No!’ to U.S. base transfer

The island is one of the candidate sites the government is considering for the transfer of the U.S. helicopter units from the Futenma base in Okinawa.

In a rally held on the day, the islanders held placards reading, “Let’s defend our ancestors’ legacy!” and “Say No! to the base!” A high school student read out loud the letters she was going to send to Prime Minister Hatoyama and U.S. President Obama, asking them to not impose a military base on the island.

Isen Town Mayor Okubo Akira called on the participants to have their strong opposition to the base transfer heard by the U.S. and Japanese governments, remembering the unity and pride in achieving the return of Okinawa’s administrative rights to Japan. The mayor and two other town mayors belong to an association organizing the rally opposing the base transfer.

Japanese Communist Party House of Councilors member Nihi Sohei said, “Let’s overcome party differences when it comes to defending the peace of the island! Let’s force the government to give up the transfer plan!”

The resolution the rally adopted states, “To build a new base on Tokunoshima or elsewhere in Japan amounts to further arms buildup and runs counter to the world trend of disarmament.”
- Akahata, April 18, 2010