Japan Press Weekly

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2017 August 23 - 29 [POLITICS]

Okinawa delegation to US succeeds in increasing American’s support for anti-base movements

Representatives of the All-Okinawa Council delegation to the U.S. on August 25 at a press conference in the prefectural government office building said that they became confident that they can succeed in increasing Americans’ support for the opposition to the Henoko base construction.

The delegation consisting of Dietmembers, union activists, and women’s group members visited the U.S. for about one week from August 16 and engaged in various activities, including holding talks with U.S. Congress members.

Delegation head Iha Yoichi, a member of the House of Councilors, explained that the purpose of their visit was to turn U.S. citizens’ attention to the issue of U.S. bases in Okinawa and to establish relations with sympathizers of Okinawans’ anti-base movements in the U.S. mainland.

During the one-week visit, the delegation was invited by the Asian Pacific Americans Labor Alliance (APALA), which is affiliated with AFL-CIO, for its 25th Anniversary Convention. The meeting adopted a resolution to oppose the construction of military facilities in Henoko and Takae. The delegation visited congressional representatives’ local offices and exchanged views on the Henoko base issue and other issues related to Okinawa’s heavy base burdens.

Regarding the APALA resolution, Iha emphasized its significance by saying, “The resolution calls on labor unions and local assemblies across the nation as well as on the U.S. Congress to support Okinawans’ resistance against the construction of U.S. military facilities. I believe this resolution will surely help raise U.S. citizens’ awareness of our anti-base movements.”

Reporting on his talks with U.S. legislators, Iha said, “They will be a valuable contact for us to pressure Capitol Hill to control the U.S. forces in Okinawa.” Okinawa Prefectural Assembly member Higa Kyoko, who joined the delegation, said, “In the meetings, I was asked what they can do to contribute to solving our base issues. We need to keep in touch with these legislators and ask them to act for Okinawa.”

Past related article:
> Asian American union adopts resolution opposing US base construction in Okinawa [ August 21, 2017]