Japan Press Weekly

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2023 March 29 - April 4 [POLITICS]

Okinawa calls for peacebuilding through dialogue to keep itself from becoming battlefield again

The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly on March 30 adopted a resolution with majority votes, including the Japanese Communist Party, demanding that the Japanese government engage actively in peacebuilding through dialogue and diplomacy in order to prevent Okinawa from becoming a battlefield again. The Liberal Democratic Party voted against the resolution.

Prior to the vote, JCP assemblyperson Toguchi Osamu in favor of the resolution said, "War must be stopped before it starts. Japan should promote a peaceful diplomacy, not deterrence by military force."

Toguchi added that the central government is strengthening Japan's defense capability and planning to deploy more missiles on a scenario in which Japan, including Okinawa, becomes a battlefield, adding, "This looks similar to the prewar years which led to the horrific Battle of Okinawa in which so many civilians were killed 78 years ago."

Regarding Japan's possession of the capability to attack enemy missile bases, the resolution points out that an attack on an enemy base will inevitably bring about a retaliation from the enemy, and that many Okinawans are voicing concern that Okinawa may become a war zone again.

The resolution notes that the Japanese government, possibly with China in mind, is enhancing Japan's military potential. It demands that both Japan and China make efforts to relieve tensions and achieve true peace in the region, and that bilateral relations be promoted and any issues be resolved peacefully in compliance with the Tokyo-Beijing Peace and Friendship Treaty.