Japan Press Weekly

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2011 June 22 - 28 [US FORCES]

Okinawa leaders protest against bilateral agreement to build US base in Henoko

Voices of protest are increasing in Okinawa against the Japan-U.S. agreement to build a new U.S. base in Henoko concluded on June 21, two days before the 66th anniversary of the end of the 1945 Battle of Okinawa.

Inamine Susumu, mayor of Nago City where Henoko is located, said, “The government completely disregards Okinawans in its negotiations with the U.S. This is not what the government of our nation is required to do.”

Stressing that the return of the U.S. Marines Futenma base in Ginowan City should have the objecting of reducing Okinawa’s base burdens and getting rid of the most dangerous military air station in the world, Inamine stated that the government should negotiate with the U.S. side based on this point.

Ginowan City Mayor Asato Takeshi pointed out that it will be impossible to build a new base in Henoko because Nago residents as well as Okinawa Governor Nakaima Hirokazu, who has the right to approve or disapprove the reclamation necessary for the construction, are opposed to the plan.

It is a big mistake for the Japanese government to confirm such an impossible plan without heeding the demands of Okinawans, Asato added.

Ginowan assembly opposes Osprey deployment

The Ginowan City Assembly on June 22 adopted a unanimous resolution in opposition to the deployment of vertical landing and take-off MV-22 Ospreys to the Futenma base, recently announced by the U.S. Department of Defense.

The resolution states that the planned deployment will strengthen the base capability and thus “lead to the perpetuation of the Futenma air station.”

It also calls for its immediate closure and the early return of the land that the military base occupies to the city.