7000 Days of Struggle in Okinawa, Okinawan People Say Again Against US Base in Japan, Resolute Assembly | People | Resolute
Beijing, June 19 (Xinhua) - Some people in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan held a rally on the 18th in Nagoya, Nagao City, to protest against the plan to relocate the US military base in Japan. Local people have stated that they have been protesting against the Japanese central government for 7000 days regarding this matter, and this gathering once again demonstrates their determination to oppose the US military base.
The Japanese and American governments agreed in 1996 to relocate the US military base located in Putenma, Okinawa Prefecture to Nagoya, Nagao City. The relocation required land reclamation and the construction of two new aircraft runways. The people of Okinawa strongly oppose this and demand that the US military base be completely relocated from Okinawa.
On May 15, 2022, in Okinawa, Japan, Okinawan residents strongly protested outside the venue, demanding a reduction in the size of US military bases in Okinawa and even the withdrawal of all US military bases. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Xiaoyu
On April 19, 2004, the local people held their first protest rally in a sit in format at the ancient seaside in Bianye. As of the 18th of this month, this protest has lasted for 7000 days. A citizen participating in the rally said, "We are forced to fight for a long time and hope that people can understand our situation."
On the 18th, local media in Okinawa reported that many areas such as Bian Noku have been plagued by noise from abandoned ammunition disposal points by the US military for over a decade, with one of the disposal points only about two kilometers away from residential buildings. The US military made loud noises without warning when dealing with some unused shells, causing physical and mental burden to nearby residents, and some houses cracked.
On May 17, 2015, in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, protesters held up a sign at a rally saying "Do not use the new base of Kishino Koga.". Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Tian
A local resident said, "A huge earthquake suddenly struck, almost shattering the glass windows and putting a lot of mental pressure on me."
The US military stationed in Japan has extraterritorial jurisdiction and is not subject to Japanese jurisdiction. The safety accidents, aircraft noise, and US crime caused by US military bases have long plagued local residents in Okinawa.