Japan Press Weekly

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2014 November 12 - 18 [POLITICS]

Nago mayor in letter to Obama demands cancellation of new base construction

Okinawa’s Nago City Mayor Inamine Susumu on November 11 sent U.S. President Barack Obama a letter demanding cancellation of the construction of a new U.S. base in the Henoko district in the city.

Writing that “construction of a new base for your country’s military is now about to begin at Henoko”, Inamine in his letter requested that the president “intervene to stop the construction of this new base.”

The Nago mayor explained the background for his request from seven aspects, saying that Okinawan people for the past 69 years have suffered the risk of accidents and crimes due to the presence of the U.S. military; that more than 70% of Okinawan people are opposing the construction of the new base; that the Henoko coastal area is identified as one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world; and that in the United States, a court case seeking the protection of dugong in waters around Henoko is being contested.

Inamine in his letter stated, “Have these circumstances been properly conveyed to the U.S. government by the Japanese government? If they have, and you are aware of the situation, does the government of the United States still consider the new base at Henoko to be necessary?”

Inamine concluded his letter by calling on President Obama, “as the leader of a democratic state”, to take this matter seriously and to not deny our children and grandchildren the bright and peaceful future that they are entitled to.