Japan Press Weekly

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2018 September 5 - 11 [POLITICS]

Okinawans petition prefectural gov’t to hold referendum on US base construction in Henoko

A group of Okinawans on September 5 submitted to the prefectural government a petition demanding a prefectural referendum over the construction of a U.S. military base in the prefecture’s Henoko district. The petition was signed by 93,000 voters in Okinawa.

The group seeks to create a local ordinance concerning the referendum on the controversial Henoko project based on the Local Autonomy Law’s stipulation that residents can make a direct claim to a local government. As the number of people who signed the petition far exceeded the minimum required, the prefectural government will propose an ordinance bill to this effect to the prefectural assembly within 20 days.

Receiving the request, Vice Governor Jahana Kiichiro said that the prefectural government will accept the petitioners’ demand and submit a bill to the assembly.

Prior to the meeting with Jahana, representatives of the group held a press conference. Motoyama Jinshiro, who heads the group, issued a statement urging the national government to suspend the reclamation work at the Henoko district until the result of the referendum comes out.

If the ordinance bill is enacted, it will require the prefectural government to hold a referendum within six months after its promulgation.

Past related articles:
> Henoko reclamation approval revoked [September 1, 2018]
> ‘All Okinawa’-backed gubernatorial election candidate: Get Henoko base project stopped [August 30, 2018]