Japan Press Weekly

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2015 October 7 - 13 TOP3 [POLITICS]

Okinawans resolutely support Gov. Onaga

An emergency rally took place at the open space outside the Okinawa prefectural government office building in Naha City on October 7, giving Governor Onaga Takeshi a boost in his move to put a stop to the landfill work associated with the construction of another U.S. base in the prefecture.

In confirming future actions, rally participants decided to gather in front of the main gate of Camp Schwab in the Henoko district in Nago City at six o’clock every morning to protest. After the rally, they marched in demonstration through downtown Naha City.

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Akamine Seiken called on the participants, “Hold a firm determination to back up the governor struggling against the Abe government! Let us further increase our sit-in and on-sea protests!”

Ashitomi Hiroshi of the anti-U.S. heliport council said, “We must win in the mayoral election in Ginowan City where the U.S. Futenma base is located and in the House of Councilors election both slated for next year so that Governor Onaga can stand firm on his decision to cancel the Henoko reclamation work more strongly.

On this day, Onaga was planning to hold a hearing with officials of the Okinawa Defense Bureau following a third-party panel’s report acknowledging legal flaws in the Henoko landfill approval procedures. However, no officials showed up. They just submitted a written statement insisting that there was no flaw in the process of receiving the approval. Onaga will reportedly revoke his predecessor’s approval of Henoko reclamation as early as next week.

Past related articles:
> Okinawa Pref. Assembly supports governor’s decision to revoke approval of landfill work in Henoko [September 19, 2015]
> Okinawa begins procedure to revoke approval for landfill in Henoko [September 15, 2015]
> Yamashita: PM should accept Okinawa governor’s decision to revoke approval of landfill project at Henoko [September 15, 2015]