Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2015 May 27 - June 2 [POLITICS]

City-wide group formed to oppose new base in Nago

The insistent demand by the governments of Japan and the United States to build another base has united Okinawan business persons, politicians, and citizens. On May 25, another anti-base group was formed to fight against the construction of a new U.S. base in Nago City.

Meanwhile in Tokyo, the Nago City mayor was confronting Tokyo officials, asking the central government to not force local people to shoulder any more base burdens.

The new group, headed by Nago City Mayor Inamine Susumu, Nago City Assembly Chairman Yabiku Minoru, and several resident representatives, conveys the firm determination of Nago citizens to end the base construction issue once and for all and to show their pride and dignity by mobilizing all their wisdom to stop the construction.

From Tokyo, Mayor Inamine sent the group’s inaugural meeting a message, “I am sure that we can stop the base construction if we work together, firm in our faith in achieving success.”

Welcoming the birth of the city-wide anti-base group, a university student who came to the inaugural gathering said, “With this group, we, young people, want to discuss with our elders about the base issue in Okinawa as well as about how our local education and economy can be improved.”

Past related articles:
> Anti-base residents’ councils established in Okinawa [April 25&26, 2015]
>‘Henoko Fund’ officially established [May 14, 2015]
> Okinawans launch ‘Henoko Fund’ to block base construction [April 10, 2015]