2,500 demonstrated against Henoko plan on Sunday

An estimated 2,500 people took part in a demonstration against the planned relocation of the MCAS Futenma to Henoko. The rally was held in Naha on Sunday, which was 44th anniversary of Okinawa’s reversion to Japanese administration from the U.S.

Participants adopted a declaration expressing their continuing strong opposition to the plan, as they see it as a reinforcement and expansion of U.S. bases on Okinawa and which the Japanese and U.S. government strongly promote.

Currently, the construction work at Henoko is suspended pending the outcome of the ongoing court-ordered negotiations between the central government and Okinawa Prefectural Government. The Okinawa and central government have long been at loggerheads over the project in Henoko, which the central government with the backing of an agreement with the U.S. says is the only option, and Okinawan government vehemently opposes, saying the base has to be moved out of the prefecture altogether.

Demonstrators wowed not to allow the construction off Henoko to resume, and demanded that the national government cancels the project.

Before the demonstration on Sunday, three annual peace marches were staged starting Friday. According to organizers, the peace marches attracted a total of 4,500 people.

04:33 29 Mar , 2024