Okinawan Prefectural Assembly sends Chinese foreign minister statement regarding Okinawan fishing boats in the Senkaku Islands “These are not disguised boats”
December 8, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo
During the second day of general inquiries at the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly’s (OPA) regular November session December 7, eight members of the Okinawa-Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) faction took the podium. In response to a claim made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated regarding Japanese fishing boats operating in the ocean around the Senkaku Islands, “The fact is these were not mere fishing boats, and were entering the area as a provocation,” Okinawa Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries chief commented, “The assertation that our prefecture’s fishing boats are ‘disguised fishing boats’ is absolutely impossible.” This was in response to a question by Ichiro Ohama, who represents the Ishigaki City district.
Hearing the remark about ‘disguised fishing boats,’ Ohama introduced harsh criticism given by Japanese Communist Party (JCP) chairman Kazuo Shii, who called China “arrogant.” Ohama agreed, saying, “I think it is a fair criticism. This can only be seen as reckless words.” The OPA adopted the statement of the usually antagonistic party leader in a rare moment of praise.
Okinawa vice-governor Kiichiro Jahana touched on China’s announcement of a new law that would allow its coast guard the use of weapons to defend Chinese-claimed waters, stressing, “He had a strong sense of wariness.” Additionally, Jahana noted the maritime crisis management framework agreed to by both former prime minister Shinzo Abe and Chairman Xi Jinping in order to avoid a clash between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and China’s People’s Liberation Army, commenting “I think it is extremely important for us to avoid an unexpected incident.”
In addition, assembly members Ryotaro Odo, Tomoko Ishihara, Hiroshi Goya, Tadaaki Shimajiri, Ieharu Nakamura, Yohsitoyo Arakaki, and Moriyuki Teruya all spoke.
(English Translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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