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On August 13, the day commemorating a U.S. military helicopter crash on the Okinawa International University Campus six years ago, the university held a rally demanding the suspension of U.S. military aircraft flights. Okinawa International University is situated next to the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City in Okinawa. On August 13 2004, a U.S. Marine Corps transport helicopter (CH53D) crashed at the university. In the rally, Okinawa International University President Tomikawa Moritake read out a statement. The statement pointed out, gJust after the incident occured, the university made a strong protest to the U.S. military and other relevant organizations about this outrageous and avoidable incident and demanded the suspension of aircraft flights. However, military airplanes still keep flying over the campus and nothing has been solved.h Gisuji Tsubasa, a senior at the university, stated, gJunior high and senior high students living outside Okinawa know little about the incident. I think, the situation of young people in Okinawa and students attending this university may be the same. I want to share the importance of knowing and thinking about the truth with many young people of the same generation.h Ginowan City mayor comments on 6th anniversary of the crash Ginowan City Mayor Iha Yoichi on August 13 held a news conference at the city government office, commenting on the 6th anniversary of the crash of a U.S. Marines helicopter at Okinawa International University. Iha pointed out that even today, the U.S. military frequently conducts flight exercises over the residential area and that local residents are forced to live in the midst of the noise and the danger of crashes. He stated, gIt is totally unacceptable that the danger still remains.h The mayor said that 14 years has passed since Japan and the United States agreed on the Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SOFA) and criticized both governments for failing to implement any preventive measures until the completion of another military base as an alternative to the Futenma base although this construction plan is still uncertain. He said, gI cannot help condemning their irresponsibility on the grounds that they intend to leave the danger of the recurrence of similar accidents as it is,h and expressed his determination to achieve the removal of the Futenma base as early as possible. He, however, said, gThe closure of the Futenma base should not be realized in return for the construction of a new base,h and went on to say, gThe Futenma base replacement issue and the elimination of the danger should be considered separately. The important thing is that we must force both governments to give up planning to relocate the Futenma base to anywhere in Japan.h |
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