January 26, 2012
Iha Yoichi, an anti-U.S. military base candidate for Ginowan City mayor, on January 25 released his platform aimed at establishing a city without a military base.
Iha was Ginowan’s mayor before and will run in the mayoral election slated for February 12 with the backing of the Japanese Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the Okinawa Social Mass Party.
He vows to: oppose the transfer of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station currently located in the city to another location inside Okinawa; oppose the deployment of MV-22 Osprey aircraft at the Futenma base; provide free healthcare services for children up to 15 years old, including hospitalization; and eliminate children on waiting lists for admission to childcare centers.
Iha said, “The role of a local government should be to protect residents’ livelihoods.”
On the same day, Iha appeared in an open debate hosted by a local newspaper, a radio station, and a TV station.
There, Iha also indicated his resolve to work for the removal of the base, saying, “The Japanese and the U.S. governments agreed on the return of the Futenma base to Japan 16 years ago. With the strength of anti-base public opinion, I will urge the two governments to fulfill that promise.”
In contrast, his rival Sakima Atsushi supported by the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties is taking an ambiguous stance. He said that he will ask the central government to take the base out of Okinawa.
Sakima is a member of “Nippon Kaigi”, a right-wing nationalist group. Arguing, “Diplomacy is the state’s exclusive prerogative,” he often criticizes Iha who has been opposing the relocation of the Futenma base within Okinawa.
Iha said, “I’ve been working to shut down the Futenma base as early as possible and opposing the construction of a new U.S. base in Nago City. Sakima’s position is completely different from mine in this regard.”
Iha was Ginowan’s mayor before and will run in the mayoral election slated for February 12 with the backing of the Japanese Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the Okinawa Social Mass Party.
He vows to: oppose the transfer of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station currently located in the city to another location inside Okinawa; oppose the deployment of MV-22 Osprey aircraft at the Futenma base; provide free healthcare services for children up to 15 years old, including hospitalization; and eliminate children on waiting lists for admission to childcare centers.
Iha said, “The role of a local government should be to protect residents’ livelihoods.”
On the same day, Iha appeared in an open debate hosted by a local newspaper, a radio station, and a TV station.
There, Iha also indicated his resolve to work for the removal of the base, saying, “The Japanese and the U.S. governments agreed on the return of the Futenma base to Japan 16 years ago. With the strength of anti-base public opinion, I will urge the two governments to fulfill that promise.”
In contrast, his rival Sakima Atsushi supported by the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties is taking an ambiguous stance. He said that he will ask the central government to take the base out of Okinawa.
Sakima is a member of “Nippon Kaigi”, a right-wing nationalist group. Arguing, “Diplomacy is the state’s exclusive prerogative,” he often criticizes Iha who has been opposing the relocation of the Futenma base within Okinawa.
Iha said, “I’ve been working to shut down the Futenma base as early as possible and opposing the construction of a new U.S. base in Nago City. Sakima’s position is completely different from mine in this regard.”
