SEALDs Ryukyu continuing to protest against construction of US base in Henoko and helipads in Takae

August 11, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa branch of Students Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy (SEALDs), a student organization that was set up to oppose Japan’s controversial security bills, announced on August 10 that it would continue its activities despite the national organization dissolving itself. While SEALDs announced it would dissolve itself on August 15, SEALDs Ryukyu said it would continue its work. The organization intends to keep holding events such as “Salon,” a study session that will invite prominent figures from outside of Okinawa to give talks. Ai Tamaki, a member of the SEALDs Ryukyu, pointed to construction of helipads in the U.S. miltary’s Northern Training Area in Takae, and new base construction in Henoko as the reason why they will continue to maintain the organization. Tamaki said, “Our organization is different from other SEALDs groups in the main island of Japan because of these two issues. In particular, we are in the middle of a tense situation in Takae, so we can’t disband ourselves.”

SEALDs was set up in May 2015. Other branches were launched in Kansai, Tohoku, and Tokai area. Since the SEALDs in Tokyo announced that it would disband on August 15 after the election of the House of Councillors in July, other branches announced they would dissolve themselves too.

(English translation T&CT)

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