UN special rapporteur meets Okinawa Governor: Okinawa a case of discrimination

UN special rapporteur meets Okinawa Governor: Okinawa a case of discrimination

Victoria Corpuz (far left) talked to Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga (far right) at the Okinawa Prefectural Office at 9:19 a.m. on August 17.


August 17, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

United Nations Special Rapporteur Victoria Tauli Corpuz, who reports to the United Nations Human Rights Council and UN General Assembly UNGA, met Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga at the Okinawa Prefectural Office around 9 a.m. on August 17. Corpuz said that she views Okinawa as a victim of discrimination because the prefecture bears the huge burden of hosting U.S. military bases. Corpuz further stated that she would like to support Okinawa’s efforts to establish its right to self-determination as much as she possibly can.

Corpuz spoke with sit-in protesters in Henoko, Nago on August 16. She told Onaga that she was able to grasp the current atmosphere in Okinawa. Onaga explained to Corpuz the history of Okinawa and how the U.S. military built the bases in the prefecture. Onaga claimed, “Governments of Japan and the United States say that Okinawa needs to provide an alternative plan for the Henoko relocation because Marine Corps Air Station Futenma is the most dangerous air base in the world. It is an extremely unreasonable situation.”

(English translation by T&CT)

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