 A chain of 24,000 people encircle U.S. Futenma base On May 15, which marked the 33rd anniversary of the return to Japan of Okinawa's administrative rights, about 24,000 Okinawans formed a human chain around U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Futenma Air Station calling for the immediate closing of all U.S. bases on the island. The action was preceded by a rally in Ginowan City, attended by about 7,500 people. Many Henoko residents in Nago City, where the U.S. and Japanese governments are attempting to carry out boring surveys in preparation for the construction of a new base as the Futenma base relocation site, joined the rally. On behalf of the organizers, Mayor Iha Yoichi of Ginowan City stated that both governments are strongly called upon to remove the Futenma air base from Japan. Representing the Japanese Communist Party, Chair Shii Kazuo and House of Representatives member Akamine Seiken took part in these actions. As much as one-fifth of Okinawa's land area has been used as U.S. bases. The August 2004 U.S. helicopter crash accident added fuel to the Okinawan's anger as they have long been suffering from various hardships and crimes associated with the presence of U.S. bases. The assemblies and mayors of Ie Village and Irabu Town in Okinawa, where the U.S. hints at relocating part of Futenma's facilities, as well as of Ginowan City, are opposed to the plan. * * * Addressing the rally, JCP Chair Shii stated in gist as follows: Without reflecting on last year's helicopter crash, the U.S. forces are acting outrageously, first, by defying the Futenma City Assembly's unanimous resolution against USMC helicopter unit's return to the base from Iraq, 22 helicopters reached the base on April 1, and the USMC even urged residents to "welcome" their return. Second, the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee called for a review of flight zones to ensure the safety of Futenma's helicopter operations. The USMC resumed helicopter flight drills without waiting for the conclusion of the review. Third, three additional helicopters were relocated to the base. Fourth, asked by the daily Okinawa Times, the U.S. forces answered that "relocation to Iraq of Okinawa-based USMC units has been part of their ordinary rotational mission." This shows that USMC units in Okinawa are assigned to be a global strike force covering the Middle East as its routine operational area. The closure and withdrawal of the Futenma base can no longer be delayed. The 1996 Japan-U.S. agreement of the Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) called for this goal to be met within five or seven years, and it is now nine years. Nothing can be achieved through the SACO agreement, which only means "relocation of U.S. bases in Okinawa." Specifically, Futenma's various alternatives, either the Henoko new base or its partial relocation to the U.S. Kadena Air Base and Shimojijima Island, will just help perpetuate U.S. bases in Okinawa. The Okinawans are demanding that Futenma base be closed down unconditionally. The JCP is determined to join efforts with the Okinawans calling for an Okinawa with no military bases or nuclear weapons. - Akahata, May 16, 2005 |