Foreign minister’s remark draws criticism from Okinawans

Japan Press Weekly

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Foreign minister’s remark draws criticism from Okinawans

Okinawans are angered at Foreign Minister Okada Katsuya’s remark denying the possibility of constructing a new U.S. base outside the prefecture as a replacement for the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station. Okada’s remark reverses the Democratic Party of Japan’s pledge to construct a new base outside Okinawa or even outside Japan.

Mayor Iha Yoichi of Ginowan City in Okinawa which hosts the Futema base commented, “The Hatoyama Cabinet insisted on relocating the Futenma base to somewhere outside the prefecture at least. The DPJ should stick to its policy. If the U.S. government refuses to relocate the Futenma base to outside the prefecture, it will be necessary for the Japanese government to request the U.S. forces to go back to the U.S. mainland, Hawaii, or Guam. Okada also suggested the idea of consolidating the Futenma base with the nearby Kadena Air Base. This idea is unthinkable because many fighter jets flying in to the Kadema base from other bases including the U.S. mainland already impose a heavy burden on residents living near the base.”

The Okinawa United Action Liaison Council representative Arakaki Shigenobu said, “I think that the DPJ should stand up to the U.S. government, but it appears unwilling to do so. Paragraph 2 of Article 10 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty states that if either party gives notice to terminate the Treaty, the Treaty will be invalidated a year later. This means that if the Japanese people demand so, we can abolish the military treaty. The argument that a U.S. new base must be constructed because of the Japan-U.S. agreement contradicts with provision of the Japan-U.S. military treaty.”

Ashitomi Hiroshi of the Nago Council against the Construction of the U.S. On-Sea Heliport said, “Okinawan people’s will is clear. Regarding construction of a new U.S. base, a majority voted ‘No’ in Nago’s referendum in 1997, opposition forces won a majority of seats in the 2008 Prefectural Assembly election, and in this recent general election, all candidates supporting the base construction lost their seats in the Okinawa constituency. Assuming Okinawan people’s urgent demands, the Hatoyama administration should boldly negotiate with the U.S. If it is intimidated by the U.S. government into changing its attitude, it will be the same weak-kneed response as the former Liberal Democratic and Komei government.”

- Akahata, October 26, 2009