Japan Press Weekly

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2012 May 16 - 22 [OKINAWA]

Okinawans call for removal of US bases and oppose Osprey deployment on 40th anniversary of the return to Japan

On May 15, marking the 40th anniversary of Okinawa’s return to Japan, local people held a rally in front of the gate of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City.

Participants protested against the U.S. and the Japanese governments’ intent to “fix” the base as it is in defiance of Okinawans’ opposition to any transfer of the base within the prefecture, and their plan to deploy military aircraft with vertical/short takeoff and landing capability, the MV-22 Osprey to the base.

In the heavy rain (just like the day 40 years ago), Shimada Zenji, leader of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit demanding compensation for noise pollution caused by U.S. military helicopters and aircraft at the Futenma base, angrily said, “The government intends to impose the Osprey deployment on us and renovate the Futenma base using 20 billion yen in taxpayers money while talking about ‘alleviation’ of our burdens. It is an insult to the Okinawan people.”

Japanese Communist Party Dietman Akamine Seiken said, “Today, on the 40th anniversary, is the day when we rise and go into action in order to fully realize the spirit of the Japanese Constitution and abrogate the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. Let us carve out a way for new Japan.”

Ishijima Noriko, taking part in the rally, was born on May 15. “The U.S. bases have been on Okinawa for 30 long years, ever since I was born. I want to help change the present status of Okinawa,” she said.