Archive for the Editorial Category

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Editorial: The petition to protect war-dead remains should be quickly passed into law

February 12, 2022 Ryukyu Shimp

 

Takamatsu Gushiken, who represents the war-dead remains recovery volunteer organization “Gamafuya,” has submitted a petition to the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly calling for the establishment of regulations to preserve the remains of those who died in war. In order to prevent the dissipation of these remains due to construction, he wants a system in place where the Okinawa governor would be notified ahead of time so it can be confirmed if...

 

Editorial: Salvaging of citizens’ rights to be addressed, at last, in fourth Kadena noise lawsuit

January 28, 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On January 28, citizens living in the vicinity of Kadena Air Base filed the fourth Kadena noise lawsuit, in which they are suing over noise damage from U.S. military aircraft and requesting a suspension of early morning and late night flights. The...

Editorial: Toguchi reelection does not represent public approval of new base construction

Editorial: Toguchi reelection does not represent public approval of new base construction

January 24, 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Incumbent Taketoyo Toguchi has won reelection in the Nago mayoral race, in which the relocation of MCAS Futenma to the Henoko area of Nago became a major battleground issue.

This mayoral election was the first since the confirmation of soft...

Editorial: It would be hasty to say that the LDP victory in the 3rd district is a sign of sympathy for progressing with new base construction

November 1, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Public opinion surrounding the new base construction in Henoko, Nago – part of the relocation of MCAS Futenma – is wavering. The winning candidates in the 1st and 2nd Okinawa districts for the lower house are from the “All Okinawa” party,...

Editorial: U.S. transpartisan letter an opportunity for international solidarity aimed at stopping new base

March 16 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

We must take full advantage of this letter. The Overseas Base Realignment and Closure Coalition, a group of U.S. intellectuals, former officials, and others, published a letter addressed to President Biden calling for closure of U.S. military bases...

Editorial: Camp Schwab joint use agreement is a violation of civilian control

January 25, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

A secret 2015 agreement reached between the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and the U.S. Marine Corps has come to light. The deal agrees to station the JGSDF’s remote island defense unit, the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB),...

Editorial: In the new year, step toward self-reliance together

January 1, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

A new year is upon us. The year 2021 will be the time for Okinawa to decide its future direction, as the 50th anniversary of Okinawa’s reversion to Japanese rule is nearing.

Fifty years ago, in November 1971, the Ryukyu government drew...

Editorial: Prime Minister Suga’s first policy speech reveals incongruity between words and actions that needs rectification

October 27, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga gave his first policy speech at the Diet since taking office. Regarding Okinawa, he stated that he will “endeavor to reduce the base burden” and “steadfastly proceed with the construction for the Henoko relocation in order to...

Editorial: As prime minister announces resignation, we must return to a politics that honors the people’s will

August 29, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced his resignation. He was prime minister for seven years and eight months, since the inauguration of his second administration in December 2012. As his health worsened, he determined that it would be difficult to continue at...

Editorial: Do not permit infected U.S. troops to be quietly transported to Okinawa

August 21, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

During a mass outbreak of the novel coronavirus occurred on the U.S. Navy’s USS Theodore Roosevelt en route, the U.S. military considered a plan to transport about 3,000 crewmembers to U.S. military bases in Okinawa. The crew eventually disembarked in Guam, but...

Editorial: 16 years after university helicopter crash Futenma base should be closed unconditionally

August 14, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

August 13, 2020, marks 16 years from the day a CH-53D heavy-lift transport helicopter departed U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, crashed at Okinawa International University and burst into flames.

MCAS Futenma’s airfield continues to occupy the city’s...