Newly elected House of Representatives members report their victories to residents’ sit-in Henoko

Newly elected House of Representatives members report their victories to residents’ sit-in Henoko

Four elected members of the House of Representatives Seiken Akamine (from left, front row), Kantoku Teruya, Denny Tamaki, Toshinobu Nakazato received a congratulatory speech from a resident, on December 16, in front of the gate of Camp Schwab, Henoko, Nago.


December 16, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 16, Seiken Akamine, Kantoku Teruya, Denny Tamaki and Toshinobu Nakazato, who were elected in single-seat constituencies in Okinawa’s House of Representatives poll, visited the sit-in protest site at U.S. Marine Camp Schwab. About 70 citizens cheered passionately for them. In front of the gate of Camp Schwab, citizen groups continue the sit-in protest against construction of a new U.S. air base to replace U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan.

Akamine said, “Any plans with conditions of relocation of the Futenma base within Okinawa won’t resolve the Okinawa U.S. base issues. The Futenma base should be removed without condition of relocating it to Henoko.”

Teruya, who was elected in the 2nd district in which many U.S. military bases are concentrated, stated, “We are facing a situation in which the Abe administration is changing the Peace Constitution, and that it is driving Japan at breakneck speed to once again become a war nation. I want to fight against the Abe administration with you.”

Tamaki, who was elected in the 3rd district which includes Henoko, Nago, declared, “For the last two years, I have realized that we can persuade the governments of Japan and the United States, if we follow-through and do what we must. With pride, we are striving to solve the Henoko issue with Govenor Takashi Onaga, Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine, Nago citizens and all Okinawan people.”

Seventy-seven-year-old Nakazato, who was elected as a member of the House of Representatives for the first time, said, “I have many things to learn. But I have a personal belief that I must not accept the reclamation of this beautiful sea. I will strive to do my best with you.”

Hiroshi Ashitomi, co-representative of the Helicopter Base Objection Association, said, “I feel an aura coming from the four representatives. We will support them in their efforts to convey the voices of the people of Okinawa to people across the country.”

(English translation by T&CT)

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