Japan Press Weekly

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2019 January 16 - 22 [POLITICS]

Opposition party parliamentarians share with Okinawa governor view on Henoko issue

Dietmembers of the Japanese Communist Party and other opposition parties on January 16 met with Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny in the prefectural office building to exchange views on ways to block the construction of a U.S. base in the Henoko district.

JCP lawmakers Akamine Seiken (House of Representatives) and Nihi Sohei (House of Councilors) took part in the meeting.

Tamaki said that the Defense Ministry last month began pouring sand and dirt onto a Henoko beach area for the base construction project in defiance of local opposition, which fueled Okinawans’ anger.

Vice Governor Jahana Kiichiro, who was also present at the meeting, said that there are some questions that need to be answered concerning the Defense Ministry’s explanation about landfill materials. He pointed out that this can be used to retract the prefecture’s approval of the reclamation work.

Nihi referred to his visit to the landfill site before the meeting and said, “The coral reefs were being buried right in front of us. That was shocking.” He underscored the need to stop the construction work.

Democratic Party for the People member of the House of Representatives Haraguchi Kazuhiro said that it is necessary to better inform the general public of how badly the Henoko sea is being damaged. Liberal Party member of the House of Councilors Mori Yuko expressed her determination to join hands with Okinawans and other opposition parties to block the Abe government’s reckless actions at Henoko.

The meeting was also attended by lawmakers of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the parliamentary group “Okinawa Whirlwind”, and independents.

Past related articles:
> Okinawans’ protest against Henoko base project receives solidarity from abroad [December 21, 2018]
> Abe gov’t forcibly begins filling landfill areas in sea off Henoko [December 15, 2018]