Japan Press Weekly

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2012 June 13 - 19 [OKINAWA]

5,200 Okinawans rally to oppose Osprey deployment

Okinawans on June 17 held a rally in Ginowan City in the prefecture to express their unanimous resolve to oppose the planned deployment of Osprey aircraft to the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in the city.

Objecting to the Osprey deployment and calling for the early return and closure of the base, 5,200 people with placards and banners reading, “No! Osprey!” participated in the rally.

Ginowan City Mayor Sakima Atsushi in the opening speech said, “Two Osprey crashes in just the previous three months prove how dangerous the aircraft is. In order to safeguard the lives and property of the 94,000 city residents, I will urgently request the Japanese and U.S. governments to stop the deployment.”

A 64-year-old female Ginowan resident said, “When U.S. military airplanes fly over my house roaring threat, I hear my house groaning. Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko and all other ministers should come here and experience the intimidating roar of low flying aircraft.”

A student at Okinawa University said, “The central government claims that U.S. bases and servicemen are necessary for Japan’s security. However, what we experience in reality is exactly the opposite of what the state claims: the very presence of the bases are a threat to our security.”

In the rally, a message of support from Governor Nakaima Hirokazu was read out.