Rally meets in Tokyo protesting ongoing acts of sexual violence by U.S. military personnel
The rally on April 29 at the Bunkyo Civic Center in Tokyo, observing the third anniversary of the rape and murder of a woman in Okinawa by a former U.S. Marine, and protesting the presence of the U.S. bases and military personnel.
April 30, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
On April 29 a rally met at the Bunkyo Civic Center in Tokyo to protest the presence of the U.S. bases and military personnel in Okinawa.
The rally was held in observation of the third anniversary of the rape and murder committed by a former U.S. Marine.
More than 200 people attended.
Suzuyo Takazato, a representative of Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence, spoke about recurring incidents of sexual violence by U.S. military personnel throughout the postwar period.
She said, “The privileges granted in the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) links to violence against women,” arguing that it is essential to revise the SOFA.
Takazato also referred to the base burden reduction policy that emerged after the rape of an Okinawan schoolgirl in 1995, saying, “[The policy] was a showpiece brought out to quell the anger and demands of Okinawans, but what are the results?
Also, military functions have been enhanced and installations have made advancements, and the ’95 incident has led to [the current circumstances in] Henoko.”
In regard to Futenma Replacement Facility construction being forced through in Henoko, Takazato pointed out that construction is supported, in part, due to discriminatory beliefs throughout Japan.
After the recent murder of a woman in Chatan Town, Takazato lamented, “Three years ago we decided to never allow such a thing to happen again, yet it has happened.”
One of the rally organizers, Mieko Hokama of the Okinawa One-tsubo Anti-War Landowners Association Kanto Block, spoke about Japan’s reaction to the new Emperor taking over.
Hokama said, “Japan’s current brouhaha is unpleasant to the point of being nauseating.
The Emperor of Japan handed Okinawa over to the United States. It is as though time has stopped for the Uchinanchu.”
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
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