Jinshiro Motoyama of referendum council advises government to heed Okinawans’ wishes

Jinshiro Motoyama of referendum council advises government to heed Okinawans’ wishes

Jinshiro Motoyama, representative of the “Henoko” Prefectural Referendum Council, discusses his thoughts on the referendum after a final tally shows that more than 1/4 of voters opposed the land reclamation on the evening of February 24 at the Education and Welfare Center in Furujima, Naha


February 25, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the evening of February 24, “Henoko” Prefectural Referendum Council representative Jinshiro Motoyama held a press conference at the Education and Welfare Center in Furujima, Naha.

Regarding the referendum result, which showed a large majority of voters opposing the reclamation of land in Henoko, Nago, Motoyama stated, “The people’s will saying ‘no’ [to the reclamation] has been made even clearer.

The national government should pay great heed to the Okinawan people’s sentiment.

I want every person living in Japan to think of the issue as a matter in which they are involved.” He also said that the more than 50% voter turnout rate was “extremely good.”

After the council was established in April of last year, it gathered more than 100,000 signatures and petitioned for the enactment of a bylaw.

Despite encountering difficulties, the council managed to accomplish its aim of a prefecture-wide referendum under the slogan, “Okinawans will decide for Okinawa.”

At the press conference, Motoyama emphasized the significance of the referendum having been held, saying, “It was a step toward greatly advancing democracy in Okinawa.” He expressed his resolve, saying, “This is not the end. I want to continue dialogue among Okinawans and overcome divisiveness.”

(English translation by T&CT and Sandi Aritza)

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