Progressive joint candidate wins in Okinawa

In the July 11 House of Councilors election, a candidate in the Okinawa constituency supported by the Japanese Communist and other opposition parties beat her opponent who was backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic and Komei parties.

Itokazu Keiko, vice chair of the Okinawa Social Mass Party and the former Prefectural Assembly member, was supported by the Japanese Communist, Social Mass, Social Democratic, and Democratic parties.

In May, the JCP and the Social Mass Party reached a policy agreement that included a call for the abrogation of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty and opposition to a consumption tax rate increase. During the election campaign, Itokazu received support from a wide range of people for her opposition to the strengthening of the U.S. bases in Okinawa and the construction of new military facilities.

"Residents' firm opposition to war and new base construction has helped to achieve this victory. I want to convey Okinawans' hope for peace to the rest of the country," said Itokazu.

JCP House of Representative member Akamine Seiken said,"It must be shocking for the Japanese and U.S. governments to see an anti-base and anti-security treaty candidate elected in Okinawa at a time when the LDP-Komei ruling coalition is pursuing policies promoting the construction of an on-sea air base and a counter-guerrilla urban warfare training facility under the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty." (end)