Japan Press Weekly

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2015 April 22 - 28 [POLITICS]

Okinawa Gov. demands dismissal of defense bureau’s request to continue with US base construction

Okinawa Governor Onaga Takeshi said on April 22 that the Fisheries Minister should dismiss the Okinawa Defense Bureau’s complaint against the governor’s order to stop the work related to the construction of a new U.S. military base in the Henoko coastal district.

Fisheries Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa temporarily suspended the governor’s order on March 30. The ministry has been examining the bureau’s complaint.

Onaga stated in a written demand to the minister that it runs counter to the purpose of the Administrative Appeal Act for the defense authorities to file a complaint to the state. The governor urged the minister to make a dismissal decision within a month.

At a news conference in the prefectural office building, Onaga again expressed his resolve to block the base construction by exercising his full authority as governor, saying, “Under any circumstances, we have countermeasures to invoke against the state.”

The governor referred to a recent opinion poll showing that the majority of Japanese people oppose the construction project. “Not only Okinawans but people in mainland Japan are watching the defense authorities trying to push ahead with the project in defiance of strong national as well as local opposition. The maturity of Japan’s democracy is being tested now,” he said.


Past related article:
> State invalidates Okinawa governor’s order to stop construction work [March 31, 2015]