Rallies in Ikebukuro and more than 20 places throughout Japan held in solidarity with Okinawa

Rallies in Ikebukuro and more than 20 places throughout Japan held in solidarity with Okinawa

In Ikebukuro, Tokyo, on the afternoon of August 11, rally participants demonstrate in the streets in solidarity with the prefectural rally in Okinawa. Demonstrators carry on Governor Takeshi Onaga's dying wish, and voice their opposition to construction of the Henoko base.


 

August 11, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo online edition

 

On August 11 at East Ikebukuro Central Park in Tokyo, an Okinawan prefectural rally met to show solidarity against land reclamation and base construction in Henoko, Nago City.

Those gathered mourned Governor Takeshi Onaga’s death and collectively showed their opposition to soil deposits into the ocean, set to start on August 17 as part of Henoko base construction.

According to the organizers, about 2,800 people participated. Attendees held up placards with mottos such as, “Let’s carry through Onaga’s dying wish,” and demonstrated in front of Ikebukuro Station. The participants called for solidarity against the Henoko base from the demonstration route.

Aside from the gathering in Tokyo, there were reports of more than 20 related rallies in other areas throughout Japan, including in Obihiro (Hokkaido), Tohoku, Chubu, Tokai, Kansai, and Fukuoka, all showing solidarity with Okinawa.

In Ikebukuro, Tokyo, on the afternoon of August 11, rally participants demonstrate in the streets in solidarity with the prefectural rally in Okinawa. Demonstrators carry on Governor Takeshi Onaga’s dying wish, and voice their opposition to construction of the Henoko base.

 

Shinichi Hanawa, a representative of the Okinawa Environmental Network, delivered a greeting at the Tokyo rally. He said, “I earnestly call for the deputy executing the governor’s duties to immediately revoke land reclamation approval, and block the soil deposits starting on the 17th. I want us to shoulder as our personal problems the certain opposition to new base construction, and in solidarity with citizens from across Japan, bring new base construction to a halt.”

At the start of the rally, participants offered silent prayers for Governor Onaga. Deputy Governor Kiichiro Jahana, who is executing the governor’s duties, delivered a greeting at the rally, which was met with applause.

Demonstrators on the route called out slogans like: “We cannot tolerate discrimination against Okinawa,” “It is also a problem for those of us who live in Tokyo,” “Stop construction,” “Protect the coral,” and “Don’t fill the ocean in Henoko with sand.”

On the route, there were passers-by who chanted along with the demonstrators’ calls, and people who took pamphlets opposing the Henoko base.

 

(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)

 

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