Mass rally 'symbolizes mixed feelings of Okinawa residents': Hatoyama

Monday 09th November, 09:25 AM JST

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11 Comments

tkoind2 at 01:57 PM JST - 9th November

Hatoyama. Think, think some more and then make a decision. And be prepared for the consequences. You can't make everyone happy. And you must weigh the costs of bad policies with the US vs a few upset locals. Either way, decide and live with it.
societymike at 01:57 PM JST - 9th November

Why do they keep saying "20,000" It was less than 5000. Wouldn't it be interesting if he actually DID consider their feelings?
bdiego at 03:28 PM JST - 9th November

Yes, please also consider their feelings on atrocities against them during WWII. They've had plenty of bigger protests in recent times about that. It's clear the central government doesn't give a damn about their feelings either way, this is simply expedient politics to them.
ThonTaddeo at 03:38 PM JST - 9th November

Hatoyama said in Tokyo, “We need to think a great deal of their feelings.”

Yes, you do. Unfortunately for the central government, even the Americans' behavior in Okinawa from 1945 to 1972, and again since then, is so vastly superior to how your Tokyo cronies treated Okinawa in the preceding decades that any Okinawan old enough to remember WWII (luckily for you, hardly anyone from the capitation tax era is still alive) will have "mixed" feelings indeed.

I'd like to see Okinawa become completely military-free. US bases phased out, and absolutely no JSDF anywhere near these islands.
smithinjapan at 03:45 PM JST - 9th November

Okinawa has been handed the shaft for generations, and is STILL getting it from the Central Government. They don't care one red-penny, and will shirk these people like they have since taking the place from the Ryukyu it once was.

Anyway, it my mind the protest doesn't so much symbolize 'mixed' feelings as it does them being dead-against the relocation.
sharky1 at 04:58 PM JST - 9th November

What rally???
Takuma7 at 05:06 PM JST - 9th November

Who's counting was less then 4000! Did JAL flights from mainland get canx? Most of the poeple i saw were Japanese from Mainland only Okinawan's were retired people making some money.
BigInJapan at 05:12 PM JST - 9th November

Mixed feelings? I though the rally participants were sure about their opinion.
Takuma7 at 06:17 PM JST - 9th November

Their paid to rally.
Badsey at 08:30 PM JST - 9th November

Stop the colonialization = If you love someone --> set them free.

Reduce the military and lower the taxes (fiat debt).
eigonosensei at 08:46 PM JST - 9th November

I wouldn't want a bunch of jarheads on my beach, either.