July 13, 2021
In local assembly elections held on July 11, the Japanese Communist Party fielded 18 candidates and secured 14 seats in four city assemblies.
In Nara City, the party won six seats, up one from the pre-election strength, regaining the seat the party lost associated with the death of an incumbent. In Naha City in Okinawa, five out of seven JCP candidates were elected to the assembly. In Misato City in Saitama Prefecture, all three incumbent JCP candidates won. In Miyoshi City in Tokushima Prefecture, a JCP candidate fell short of winning in the by-election.
Following the election result in Okinawa's Naha City, the five assemblymembers-elect and Akamine Seiken, candidate for the Okinawa 1st district of the general election, held a speech assembly in front of the Okinawa prefectural government office building on July 12,
Akamine criticized the new base construction project in Henoko for using earth and sand that include the remains of Okinawa Battle victims and said, "This is an affront to Okinawans. I will work to win in the general election and fulfill my commitment to put a stop to the Henoko base project." Noting that U.S.-China tensions are intensifying and that Japan's ruling parties intend to change the Constitution so that Japan can cooperate in U.S. wars, Akamine warned about the possibility that Okinawa could become a victim of an armed conflict, if it erupts. He pledged, "We will stop Okinawa from being sacrificed for the United States!"
Past related articles:
> Rally held to oppose use of soil from 'killing zone' in Battle of Okinawa for Henoko base project [November 28 & 30, 2020]
> Okinawans angry at Defense Ministry intent to use earth from killing zone in WWII for Henoko US base project [September 18, 2020]
In Nara City, the party won six seats, up one from the pre-election strength, regaining the seat the party lost associated with the death of an incumbent. In Naha City in Okinawa, five out of seven JCP candidates were elected to the assembly. In Misato City in Saitama Prefecture, all three incumbent JCP candidates won. In Miyoshi City in Tokushima Prefecture, a JCP candidate fell short of winning in the by-election.
Following the election result in Okinawa's Naha City, the five assemblymembers-elect and Akamine Seiken, candidate for the Okinawa 1st district of the general election, held a speech assembly in front of the Okinawa prefectural government office building on July 12,
Akamine criticized the new base construction project in Henoko for using earth and sand that include the remains of Okinawa Battle victims and said, "This is an affront to Okinawans. I will work to win in the general election and fulfill my commitment to put a stop to the Henoko base project." Noting that U.S.-China tensions are intensifying and that Japan's ruling parties intend to change the Constitution so that Japan can cooperate in U.S. wars, Akamine warned about the possibility that Okinawa could become a victim of an armed conflict, if it erupts. He pledged, "We will stop Okinawa from being sacrificed for the United States!"
Past related articles:
> Rally held to oppose use of soil from 'killing zone' in Battle of Okinawa for Henoko base project [November 28 & 30, 2020]
> Okinawans angry at Defense Ministry intent to use earth from killing zone in WWII for Henoko US base project [September 18, 2020]
