All Okinawa united rally requesting the easing of the base-hosting burden draws 2,000

All Okinawa united rally requesting the easing of the base-hosting burden draws 2,000

At the rally, the participants shouted "Ganbaro!" three times, requesting the U.S. and Japanese governments abandon the relocation of Futenma Air Station to Henoko. At the Ginowan City Hall at 3:44 p.m. on July 27.


July 27, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The mayors of all municipalities in Okinawa visited Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s official residence to give him a petition requesting the U.S. and Japanese governments abandon the plan to relocate the facilities at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within the prefecture January 2013. In order to demand that this request is met, an “all Okinawa united” rally was held at the Ginowan City Hall in the afternoon on July 27.

According to the organizer, over 2,000 people took part.

The participants denounced the systemic discrimination against Okinawa, which is symbolized by Okinawa’s disproportionate US base-hosting burden. At the rally, people resolved to unite in their bid to have the petition realized.

The U.S. and Japanese governments have begun full-scale, preliminary work for marine boring investigations in the Henoko district of Nago where the U.S. military plans to build a new base to replace Futenma Air Station. The rally was a declaration to both governments that they must not to force through the plan. All the speakers stressed the need to stop the relocation.

The hall which has a capacity of 1,200 people, was full. Those who could not enter, gathered at the lobby and outside the hall. Some of them had to go home because they could not fit into the hall.

The rally’s participants collectively resolved to work on informing people in and outside of Japan of the difficulties that Okinawa faces.

(English translation by T&CT)

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