Nago citizens resolve to win mayoral election to reject new U.S. base in Okinawa

In Okinawa's Nago City, with a population of about 54,000 voters will elect a new mayor on February 3. The major campaign issue is the construction of a new U.S. military base in the city.

Miyagi Yasuhiro, the candidate of the Association for a Bright Future of Nago City, represents the anti-base construction camp supported by the Japanese Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Okinawa Social Mass Party, and citizens' organizations. He will take on Kishimoto Tateo, the incumbent mayor who accepted the base construction plan. Kishimoto is backed by the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties.

Miyagi has led the struggle against the new U.S. base construction. In 1997, his campaign led to the success of a referendum in which a majority of Nago voters said no to the new U.S. base construction plan.

In complete disregard of the referendum results, Mayor Kishimoto announced two years ago his acceptance of a U.S. base construction off the city's Henoko district. Last December, he agreed with the central government plan to construct a new base on the coral reef 2.7 kilometers wide without giving a clear explanation to the people. Many fear that this will heavily damage the coral reef and dugongs, an endangered species.

About 1,500 people attended a rally at a park in Nago City on January 20, one week before the official start of the mayoral race, and pledged to work for Miyagi's victory.

Miyagi called on the participants to replace a city administration that goes against public opinion with one that rejects the U.S. base construction plan.

Addressing the rally, JCP member of the House of Representatives Akamine Seiken said that Okinawans who experienced the tragedy of the Battle of Okinawa at the close of WWII won't allow the city to be used as a stepping stone for U.S. forces. (end)