Japan Press Weekly

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2015 March 25 - 31 TOP3 [POLITICS]

State invalidates Okinawa governor’s order to stop construction work

The Fisheries Minister on March 30 decided to allow the Okinawa Defense Bureau to not abide by the Okinawa governor’s order to stop the work associated with the planned construction of a new U.S. base at Nago’s Henoko district.

The Okinawa Defense Bureau on March 24, based on the Administrative Complaint Investigation Law, filed to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries a complaint against Governor Onaga Takeshi’s suspension order.

The Fisheries Minister explained that the suspension of the construction work will impair Washington’s trust in Tokyo and cause damage to the diplomatic and security relationship between the two countries.

Governor Onaga after the minister’s decision held a press conference at the prefectural government office building and reaffirmed his commitment to block the base construction plan by saying that he is determined to find ways to counteract the moves to undermine his authority.

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Yamashita Yoshiki commenting on the issue said the ministry’s decision is “reckless and goes against principles of democracy”.

Yamashita pointed out that the Administrative Complaint Investigation Law was made to protect people’s rights from abuses of power. He stressed that it is totally wrong for the state to use the law in this way.


Past related article:
> Okinawa governor again orders state to stop work on US base construction [March 24, 2015]