Japan Press Weekly

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2012 September 5 - 11 [OKINAWA]

Anti-Osprey deployment rallies held nationwide in solidarity with massive protest in Okinawa

Showing “red cards”, more than 100,000 Okinawans in a rally in Ginowan City on September 9 expressed their opposition to the planned deployment of U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft to the prefecture.

This was the largest rally of its kind which took place in protest against U.S. military base issues since Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1972.

On the same day, similar protest rallies were held in concert with the Okinawans’ rally at various locations across Japan, including Tokyo, Nagasaki, and Yokosuka.

A resolution adopted by the rally in Okinawa described the aircraft as defective because they have frequently caused accidents since their development phase. The resolution stated that it is unacceptable to “accept the Osprey deployment without sound confirmation of its safety.”

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo also participated in the rally.

Asked by reporters for his impression of the rally, Shii replied, “The rally signifies a major step forward in the history of Okinawa. The Japanese and U.S. governments should listen to Okinawans’ solid opposition.”

In his comment about an emergency landing that the MV-22 Osprey made in a residential area in the U.S. state of North Carolina on September 6, Shii stated that it has become apparent that the Osprey is structurally defective.

Shii went on to say, “Recent opinion polls showed that 70% (of the public) oppose the deployment. The JCP will work hard to achieve the withdrawal of the deployment and unconditional removal of the U.S. Futenma base.”