 JCP-backed mayoral candidate calls for Okinawa without U.S. bases On November 7 in Okinawa's Naha City, a mayoral candidate campaign calling for a base-free Okinawa started. Takasato Suzuyo, backed by the Japanese Communist, Okinawa Social Mass, Social Democratic, and Democratic parties as well as the Liberal League, is challenging incumbent Onaga Takeshi supported by the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties. Joined by members of political parties and labor unions, including JCP Dietmembers Akamine Seiken and Koike Akira, Takasato made her first campaign speech in front of the prefectural government building. She expressed her opposition to the construction of a new U.S. military base in the Henoko district of Nago City and the need to help revitalize the local economy. JCP Policy Commission Chair Koike later took to the streets to give a speech in support of Oshiro Chosuke, a JCP candidate for the Naha City Assembly. Pointing out the fact that the U.S. forces are strengthening their bases in Okinawa as their sortie stronghold, Koike said, "Please support us in stopping the U.S. from using Okinawa to train and send its troops to do more killing." Adhering to the new base construction plan, incumbent Onaga proposed promotion of the economy by depending on the U.S. bases. (end) |