"This has caused great anxiety among the people of Okinawa." Yucheng | Peace | Anxiety
According to the Daily News of Japan, the 23rd is a day of mourning for those who died in the Battle of Okinawa at the end of World War II in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The ground battle between the United States and Japan in the Okinawa region resulted in the deaths of approximately 200000 people, including ordinary civilians. 78 years have passed since the war.
According to the report, a "mourning ceremony for all the deceased in Okinawa" was held on the same day at the Peace Prayer Park in Okinawa Prefecture. County Magistrate Yucheng Danny issued a "Peace Declaration" expressing concern about three security related documents in Japan that clearly stipulate the ability to "counterattack", stating that "this has caused great anxiety among the people of Okinawa Prefecture.". He called on the government to ease tensions through dialogue and diplomacy.
In recent years, the Japanese government has been strengthening its defense system connecting the southwestern islands of Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures, taking into account relevant factors in China. It has set up land-based self-defense force bases on Amami Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, Miyako Island and Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, and deployed missile troops. The government also plans to deploy new missile forces on the main island of Okinawa and the westernmost island of Yonaguni in Japan.
The report mentions that three security related documents passed by the Japanese Cabinet in December 2022 clearly stipulate the need to have the "counterattack capability" to attack the opponent's national missile launch bases. As a means of strike, long-range missiles may also be deployed in the southwestern islands in the future, leading to opposition in Okinawa Prefecture, fearing that they may become targets of attack. On June 9th, Governor Yucheng also requested the government not to deploy missiles with "counterattack capabilities" within Okinawa Prefecture.
In the "Peace Declaration" issued on the 23rd, Governor Yucheng also mentioned the revision of three security related documents, stating that it "evokes memories of brutal ground battles and causes great anxiety among the people of Okinawa Prefecture", and called for peaceful diplomacy to be carried out through dialogue.