Locals protest Futenma transfer within Okinawa

Monday 09th November, 06:32 AM JST

GINOWAN —

Around 21,000 people protested against the planned relocation of a U.S. military airfield within Okinawa Prefecture on Sunday ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to Japan, in a sign of growing local frustration over the new Japanese government’s vague stance in reviewing the transfer plan.

The protesters called for the immediate closure of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station located in a downtown residential area of Ginowan and urged Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to reject the transfer of the facility to a coastal zone in Nago, northern Okinawa, in his talks with Obama slated for Friday in Tokyo.

Demonstrators braved the heat to pack into an open-air theater in a seaside park in Ginowan, central Okinawa, and adopted a resolution stating, ‘‘The small island of Okinawa doesn’t need a base any more. We oppose the construction of a new facility in the Henoko (district of Nago) and (Futenma’s) relocation within Okinawa.’‘

They accused U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates of ‘‘intimidating’’ the Japanese government over the relocation issue when he pressed Japan last month to stick to a 2006 bilateral deal on the Futemma transfer and to resolve the matter before Obama’s arrival.

Under the 2006 pact, the two countries agreed to transfer the heliport functions of the Futenma facility to the Marines’ Camp Schwab in the less densely populated city of Nago by 2014.

The demonstrators also urged the Japanese government in the resolution ‘‘not to cave in to U.S. pressure and convey Okinawan people’s voices without hesitation to the United States in bilateral negotiations from ‘equal’ position.’‘

The rally brought together the heads of U.S. base-hosting local municipalities as well as Diet members elected from Okinawa who belong to the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and its coalition partners—the Social Democratic Party and the People’s New Party.

The DPJ, which came to power in September after a sweeping election victory, has promoted the idea of moving the Futenma airfield out of Okinawa or even out of Japan, even though it would go against the 2006 accord signed as part of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan.

But Hatoyama has recently appeared evasive on the issue, saying Tokyo will take time to consider the matter, as the issue has developed into a major headache for bilateral relations.

While Okinawa makes up only 0.6% of Japan’s land mass, it accounts for around 75% of the land area for facilities exclusively used by U.S. forces in Japan.

Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga, who took part in the rally, and other participants are scheduled to make an appeal to the defense and foreign ministries as well as the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo over the Futenma issue ahead of Obama’s arrival.

At the rally, Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha said the Futenma facility is ‘‘the most dangerous base in the world’’ and urged Hatoyama to tell Obama that Japan will not allow a new U.S. military facility to be constructed in Okinawa. In that way, the two countries can create ‘‘new future-oriented bilateral relations,’’ he said.

Zenshin Takamine, chairman of the Okinawa prefectural assembly, said the burden on Okinawa residents of hosting bases ‘‘has exceeded a level acceptable’’ to the people. He also blasted Gates for ‘‘pressuring’’ Japan to abide by the 2006 accord, saying the U.S. defense secretary still regards Okinawa as a ‘‘U.S. colony.’‘

A majority in the assembly is opposed to the transfer of the Futenma heliport functions to Camp Schwab, following an assembly election in June last year. In July 2008, the assembly adopted a resolution objecting to the planned relocation of the Futenma base to Nago.

Takekiyo Toguchi, a resident of Nago, said the Japanese people ‘‘took a historic step forward’’ by realizing a change of government in the Aug. 30 House of Representatives election and that a different approach on the base issue will prove that the country has changed.

Claiming the construction of V-shaped runways in the coastal area would destroy the rich marine environment, Toguchi urged Hatoyama and Obama to ‘‘hear local voices.’’ ‘‘By allowing the construction of the new military facility, we will indirectly aid killings. Don’t create a ‘base for murder’ anymore,’’ he said.

The Nago city government accepted the transfer of the Futenma base to its Henoko district despite the referendum result, in exchange for stimulus measures for the local economy provided by the central government.

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Latest 15 of 32 Total Comments Show All

Sarge at 03:21 PM JST - 9th November

I'm beginning to think Nixon made a mistake in returning Okinawa to Japan in 1972.

Just kidding, but seriously, these whiners don't understand that the U.S. military is what's kept Japan out of trouble for the past 60 years.
Sarge at 03:24 PM JST - 9th November

How about moving Futenma to the Imperial Palace in Otemachi?
KinuyeOshiro at 03:33 PM JST - 9th November

The comments here are certainly entertaining. The notion that if we Okinawans did not have the strong Americans to protect us that the terrible Koreans or Chinese would come in and take over. What a laughable idea this is. The US cannot even stop crimes on your own military bases in the USA which is terrible, but to think that Okinwans should be grateful to the US Military Presence, watching the military people racing down 58 hip hop blaring from the radios, and complaing about the people complaining about the noise is pathetic. Military People need to use their brains for useful purposes rather than ignorant comments. Anyone that things the Okinawans do not have a right to complain about the noise in Ginowan from the helicopters and fueling tankers flying at rooftop levels and playing like little kids mocking the people below as they wave at the people with a one finger, is just evidence that the military does not belong here. The fact that the helicopters practice their touch n goes on their sterile runways then crash in the desert environments show that the military has not learned a thing in the past 18 years. Practice in the environment that you are fighting in, uh like maybe practice in and around camp pendleton or miramar where there is like desert environment. I personally feel sorry for the military that die in needless wars and accidents but you have to remember that it was the Japanese Empire that started WWII not Okinawa, yet Okinawans have to shoulder the burden of the ignorance of those that laugh at our protests and then go back to their clean little gettos in the USA where they will find jobs hard to get, the economy in bad condition yet call us gooks and complain at our complaints about wanting to live in an environment that is not an occupation of our Island. The facts speak for themselves, the base does not need to be here, the base does not need to be relocated to Henoko, the ocean does not need to be land filled anymore than your hometown USA needs another Walmart. I challange anyone here to give me one good reason to reclaim ocean area for another base when Camp Schwab is already there. Just one good, valid reason, and a "We are the Military and we will do what we damn well please" is not a valid reason. And why is every protest against the over saturation of Okinawa a Communist pushed or backed protest. Okinawans can actually think for themselves and only became a sweet potato economy when Japan annexed Okinawa to Japan, taking everything we had and forcing our grandparents to move to better locations, something that all Americans did at one time or another, and I bet the Indians were not too grateful about the protection they were getting from the calvary either, and as recently as a few years ago in Selma Alabama, I am sure that there were people there that did not appreciate the police protection they were supposed to be getting or even at Kent state where students were being "protected" by National Guardsmen, some protection. So keep entertaining this Okinawan with your ignorance.
sk4ek at 04:22 PM JST - 9th November

Well said, KinuyeOshiro. Glad to hear from someone who actually knows something about the situation. Having been raised in Hawaii, which was similarly annexed by outsiders through the use of brute force, vast tracts of its land given over to the military for training, bombing, and weapons development, and made hugely dependent on the military economy, I understand the Okinawans' struggle for greater self-determination. In the midst of all that history, I for one find the Henoko proposal particularly offensive.
Takuma7 at 05:12 PM JST - 9th November

reclaim ocean dude have you look around our island? We are the ones destroying our island! Look at all the green land on the US bases, all the nice trees, grass, birds, etc. Look at what we are doing Awase and other costal areas.
Hikozaemon at 05:12 PM JST - 9th November

I feel bad for the Okinawan people but the Japanese debate ignores the purpose of the base. It is basically the fallback security for South Korea and Taiwan in the event of aggression by China or North Korea.

That base in Okinawa is what has made the entire NE Asian region (other than North Korea) peaceful, safe and economically prosperous.

If US forces were to abandon Okinawa, the question is would Japanese forces take America's place guaranteeing regional peace and security.

Would Japan get involved in conflict with China to defend Taiwan? Would it support South Korea if attacked by North Korea?

If the answer is no, which of course it is (the Japanese govt would never concede Japanese blood to protect its Korean and Chinese neighbors), then in the end of the day, the US bases in Okinawa are necessary, and the locals there need to put up with them, and the noise, crime, and other troubles, for the greater good of regional peace and security.

Peace
ashika1009 at 06:51 PM JST - 9th November

The protesters "braved the heat" in Hibiscus Land? Wow! That is some bravery! Up here Tokyo way many are already braving the cold. Of course it is not cold in my view, merely fall-like chilly comfortable weather. But that is just me. Still, the sun can be quite hot and annoying in the fall. What is an ultra-violet protester to do? And then the chilly rain. And all those umbrellas! I protest any umbrella that pops open upon the appearance of less than two molecules of water.Three is okay.
Laptop7 at 06:56 PM JST - 9th November

The debate does not ignore the purpose of the base. It's been talked about for a very long time. It's actually an old news but it's all speculation - just an opinion of few people trying to justify their presence in asia. On the other hand, Okinawa will be the first place to get blown up when war occurs because of the military presence. Is that what's called protection? I live in Okinawa and I will not put up with what you've listed above just so that other people can live peacefully. Call me selfish but I bet you won't as well so I think it's better to stop acting like you are doing some kind of favor for all of us as usual... Your sympathy is not needed.
Laptop7 at 07:36 PM JST - 9th November

It must be nice and chilly in Sushi lando! Okinawa is still very hot....
sharky1 at 07:58 PM JST - 9th November

I live in Ginowan, and the "protest" was not even large enough to be noticed. Since it was Sunday, they probably counted everyone at the park and the beach as a protester. As far as Okinawan sentiment, it's about 50/50 on favoring the bases. However, it is a vocal minority that want to make it seem like all Okinawans are against the bases, which is certainly not the case.
bam_boo at 10:19 PM JST - 9th November

sharky1 on what information or evidence do you base your statement that Okinawans are '50/50 on favoring the bases'? Do you understand Japanese? Can you read Japanese newspaper? Judging from your statement I'd rather guess no.

I live in Okinawa since 8 years and I have never heard any single Okinawan say he/she welcomes the bases. There are some Okinawans who arranged themselfs with the bases and say they they're not 100% bad. Is it this kind of expression that you count as 'in favour of the bases'?

Even the most conservative, central government obedient Okinawan politician would dare to make a statement like 'I welcome the U.S. Bases in Okinawa'. Even the most obstinate Okinawan LDP member wouldn't vote for him anymore.

sharky1, please show us evidence to support your above statement or proof that there's a substantial number of Okinawans who want to have U.S. in Okinawa if they could choose freely, otherwise stop cheating yourself into believing Okinawans are in favor of bases.
mansen at 10:19 AM JST - 10th November

Am I alone here, when I say more blame should be put on the government of Japan than on the US. Since Okinawa is a prefecture of Japan and only the Japanese government could actually do something about this.
cleo at 10:40 AM JST - 10th November

What part of 'emergency or previously coordinated flghts' don't you understand?

The bit about there being 5 or 6 a week, an average of almost one a night. In my dictionary that's not 'emergency', it's 'regular'.

Doesn't 'previously coordinated' just mean 'we tell the local authorities that we're going to shake everyone out of bed in the middle of the night'?
sharky1 at 12:27 PM JST - 14th November

I have lived in Okinawa for 20 years, read, write and speak Japanese. I think I am much more in the know about Okinawa than you, bam boo
bam_boo at 08:34 AM JST - 20th November

sharky1

I have lived in Okinawa for 20 years, read, write and speak Japanese. I think I am much more in the know about Okinawa than you, bam boo

sounds like you're THE expert on Okinawa. Then please show us some evidence for your weird statement:

As far as Okinawan sentiment, it's about 50/50 on favoring the bases.

I'm looking forward to discussing that...