Japan Press Weekly

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2015 October 21 - 27 [POLITICS]

Okinawa governor to land minister: defense bureau’s claim should be dismissed

Okinawa Governor Onaga Takeshi on October 21 submitted to the land minister a written statement and a letter of explanation demanding that the Okinawa Defense Bureau’s claim against the governor’s decision to revoke the approved landfill work at Nago’s Henoko district be dismissed.

In the two documents, the governor proclaims that the defense bureau has no statutory right to file complaints against his decision, that the bureau’s act is unacceptable in light of the Local Autonomy Act, and that the governor’s revocation decision is legitimate.

Governor Onaga at a press conference on the same day said, “The national government is insisting that Henoko is the only option. It is totally unacceptable for the Defense Ministry’s local bureau to request a minister of that government to examine its complaints.” He added, “I hope that not only Okinawans but also people outside Okinawa will become aware of the facts behind this issue.”

Land Minister Ishii Keiichi will reportedly decide to accept another defense bureau request to suspend the execution of the governor’s revocation decision by the end of this month. The Okinawa prefectural government already began discussing measures to counter the land minister’s anticipated action.

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Later on the same day, a rally calling for the cancellation of the Henoko base construction and the abolition of the war legislation took place in Okinawa’s capital of Naha City.

Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Akamine Seiken referred to a massive rally held on this day in 1995 to protest against the gang rape of a school girl by U.S. Marines. He said, “20 years ago today in that massive rally, Okinawans firmly resolved to create an Okinawa without U.S. bases. Let’s increase our efforts to block the new base construction in Henoko and achieve the closure and removal of the U.S Futenma base!”

After the rally, participants marched in demonstration through the city’s downtown area.

Past related articles:
> Okinawa Governor cancels landfill approval for US base construction in Henoko [October 14, 2015]
> Defense bureau files complaint against Okinawa governor’s decision [October 15, 2015]