JCP Okinawa proposes a prefectural rally in protest against rape by U.S. Marine

Japanese Communist Party Okinawa Prefectural Assembly members on June 13 made a proposal to the prefectural government for holding a rally in protest against a rape committed by a U.S. Marine in Okinawa last month. The rally would be an opportunity to renew Okinawans' demands for the revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement.

In a meeting with governor's office vice-head Gima Tomoaki, Hokama Hisako, leader of the JCP prefectural assembly members' group, stressed the need for the prefectural administration and the assembly to together organize a rally in order to heighten public opinion and condemn such criminal acts against women.

"The prefectural government and the residents must work closely to protect Okinawans' human rights," Hokama said.

Gima stated, "It is extremely regrettable if such an incident really happened. We will deal with the proposal considering the victim's feelings." (end)