Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2013 March 13 - 19 [OKINAWA]

Okinawans urge gov’t to give up landfill for building new base

Okinawans on March 18 made representation to the Okinawa Defense Bureau, demanding that it give up a plan to ask the Okinawa governor for approval of reclamation of waters off the Henoko area for the construction of a new U.S. base.

They are members of an organization against relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma base within Okinawa, consisting of local peace groups, labor unions, and political parties.

Okinawa Defense Bureau Director Takeda Hiroshi stated that to build a new base in Henoko as an alternative site for the Futenma base is “the only option” to maintain the U.S. military presence to enhance the security of the region.

Japanese Communist Party Prefectural Assembly member Nishime Sumie stressed that to unconditionally remove the Futenma base is Okinawan consensus and the surest way to obtain their support.

Director Takeda reiterated the government’s position that to call for removal of the Futenma base is not an option and that it continues to make effort to receive residents’ understanding for the construction plan.