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2018 September 26 - October 2 TOP3 [POLITICS]

Anti-base Okinawans achieve historic victory in Okinawa governor race: JCP Chair Shii

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on September 30 published a statement following the victory of "All Okinawa"-backed candidate Tamaki Denny in the Okinawa governor race held due to the governor's sudden death. The text of his statement is as follows:

With great joy, I'd like to welcome the victory of Tamaki Denny in the Okinawa gubernatorial election. The victory indicates Okinawans' firm intent to "not allow the construction of a new base in Henoko" and their call for "immediate closure and dismantling of the Futenma base". This is a historic win by Okinawans in supporting the wishes of the late Governor Onaga Takeshi.

I'd like to extend my heartfelt respect to "All Okinawa" citizens who banded together during the election campaign by going beyond the conventional boundary separating conservatives and progressives as well as to Okinawa voters who delivered a historic verdict in the election with courage and pride. I'd also like to express my deepest gratitude to all the people in Japan who gave their support to achieve Tamaki's victory.

The victory of Tamaki constitutes scathing criticism against the Abe government for ignoring the Okinawans' demands by using all the forces of state power available under the initiative of the Prime Minister's Office.

The Abe government should abandon hardline stance toward Okinawa, seriously understand the voters' demand shown in the gubernatorial election, immediately suspend the construction of a new U.S. base in Nago City's Henoko, and move to shut down and dismantle the U.S. Futenma air base.

The victory of anti-base forces in the latest election gives new momentum to their struggle. Whatever problems may come before us, the JCP will support Governor-elect Tamaki Denny and make every possible effort to establish an Okinawa of great pride and abundance based on peace.

Past related articles:
> Shii pledges full support for anti-base candidate in Okinawa governor race [September 14, 2018]
> ‘All Okinawa’-backed gubernatorial election candidate: Get Henoko base project stopped [August 30, 2018]