Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2012 August 1 - 14 [OKINAWA]

Okinawan academics say ‘No’ to Osprey deployment

On July 31, four presidents of all the private universities and junior colleges in Okinawa Prefecture delivered a statement opposing the U.S. plan to deploy the Osprey aircraft to the Futenma Air Station in the prefecture.

The four presidents are: Oshiro Tamotsu of Okinawa International University, Kato Akihiko of Okinawa University, Nakahara Toshihiko of Okinawa Christian University and Okinawa Christian Junior College, and Fukuchi Takashi of Okinawa Women’s Junior College.

The statement points out that U.S. military aircraft are roaring over the campuses so frequently that teachers and students have difficulties holding classes even now, and if the Osprey is deployed, they will no longer be able to put up with the noise.

“It is our right and obligation to keep a safe and peaceful environment to pursue academic activities,” stresses the statement.

One of the presidents Nakahara Toshihiko, said at a press conference, “We academics, whose role is to advocate peace and justice, gave serious thought to the Battle of Okinawa in the past and the continued existence of U.S. bases all around the prefecture, and decided to raise a united voice of protest against the Osprey deployment.”