Okinawans reject new U.S. bases

Both at the ballot box and in the streets, the people of Okinawa and the main Japanese islands have rejected U.S. attempts to construct new military bases in order to consolidate its forces still stationed there 61 years after World War II. Japan’s government is a junior military partner in U.S. attempts to dominate East Asia militarily and economically.

In a March 12 referendum in Iwakuni City, in southwestern Japan, voters rejected—by 43,433 to just 5,369—construction of a new U.S. base in their region. The same day, some 2,600 demonstrators rallied to protest the planned transfer of Army headquarters to Camp Zama in mid-Japan, and an additional 300 U.S. troops. Currently there are 54,000 U.S. troops in Japan and an equal number of dependents and U.S. base employees.

Okinawa, a small island ruled by Japan since the early 1600s, except for the postwar U.S. occupation, hosts 25,000 U.S. troops, of whom 13,000 are Marines. Okinawa’s relation to Japan has similarities with that of Puerto Rico to the U.S. The heavy impact of the U.S. bases in Okinawa has aroused strong protests. The largest of recent demonstrations was the 35,000-strong rally in Ginowan on March 5, which protested the restructuring and construction of new U.S. bases on the island. Protesters demanded removal of all Pentagon bases.

According to the Anti-War Joint Action Committee, which provided information for this article, these actions and the vote are part of a broad sentiment of solidarity of people all over Japan who are opposed to U.S. bases. The Japanese anti-war movement will also demonstrate in Tokyo on March 19 against their country’s participation in the occupation of Iraq and to help get U.S. troops out of Iraq.

—John Catalinotto