Japan Press Weekly

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2011 February 9 - 15 [OKINAWA]

Vigil site opposing construction of US helipads again bulldozed

The Okinawa Defense Bureau on February 10 again forcibly allowed the construction work of U.S. helipads to resume in Takae of Higashi Village in Okinawa, following work commenced two days ago. Local residents’ request for dialogue with the government was completely ignored.

At around 10:30 a.m., 20 trucks loaded with heavy machinery lined up at the construction site. Dozens of defense officials and construction workers approached the construction sites.

At that time, all five Japanese Communist Party members of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly were taking part in the citizens’ monitoring activity. “Stop the violent construction! The case is still on trial!” The five assemblymen immediately proclaimed.

The defense officials told them that the prefectural government had approved the construction with the governor’s consent.

The five responded, “You are lying to us! We are Okinawa assemblymen and we have taken up this issue in the assembly session. When on earth did the governor approve such a violent way of commencing with the construction?” However, without responding, the officials directed the restart of the construction.