02 September 2014

UN Anti Racial Discrimination Committee addresses Okinawa militarisation

The United Nations asks the Japanese government to respect Okinawan people’s opposition against the Henoko relocation plan


Ryukyu Shimpo
The United Nations asks the Japanese government to respect Okinawan people's opposition against the Henoko relocation plan
August 21, at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) commented that Okinawan people's will should be respected regarding U.S. military policies.



August 22, 2014 Tsuyoshi Arakaki of Ryukyu Shimpo
On August 20 and 21, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) investigated on racial discrimination in Japan. They also discussed policies on the U.S. military bases in Okinawa. One of the committee members pointed out that it is important to discuss with the local people and get their agreement on the planned construction of a new base in the Henoko district of Nago City for replacement of U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station. Another said that local residents should be involved in the decision making. The committee will announce its final remarks and release an advisory report by the end of the month. One of the committee members stressed that the rights of Okinawan people to access traditional land and resources should be recognized and guaranteed. Another claimed that residents should be included in the decision-making process for policies that might affect their rights. They agreed that there should be local participation at the early stages of decision-making, especially regarding the U.S. military base issues.
Meanwhile at the opening of the meeting, a representative of the Japanese government said, “The residents of Okinawa and natives of Okinawa Prefecture are given and protected by legal equality with Japanese nationals under the Japanese Constitution.” The Japanese government presented their view that the economic gap between the mainland Japan and Okinawa has reduced, and that Okinawa has steadily developed in industry. They expressed respect for the prefecture’s initiative in implementing measures and policies since the Okinawan Promotion Planning policy, previously led by the state, was handed over to the prefecture.
To the Japanese government which does not recognize Okinawan people as “Indigenous People,” one of the committee members pointed out that it is important to consider how people in the Ryukyus identify and define themselves. Another pointed out UNESCO recognizes that Ryukyu/Okinawa has unique language, culture, and tradition and urges the Japanese government to recognize and protect such uniqueness. There have also been many inquiries about policies to protect Ryukyuan languages (Shimakutuba). A representative of the Japanese government asserted, “Those who live in Okinawa Prefecture or natives of Okinawa are not generally considered to be a group of people who share distinct biological or cultural characteristics. Therefore, they are not considered to be the subject of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.”
One of the committee members claimed the Ryukyu Kingdom’s long relationship with Ming and Qing Chinese dynasties, the history of annexation of the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1879 and assimilation policies promoted by the Japanese government all verify the indigeneity of Okinawans. He said it was wrong that Japan does not recognize this. Another said the Japanese government should respect Okinawan people’s will and guarantee their rights in light of this history.
(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)

See also:


U.S. military takes 1st step in Okinawa relocation

Marine Corps Times

Anti-U.S. base protesters in canoe are blocked Thursday by a Japan Coast Guard speed boat in Nago, Okinawa. Japanese officials said buoys are being floated off the southernmost island of Okinawa in one of the first steps in the relocation of an American military base. The buoys define the area where the construction will begin on a facility in coastal Henoko that will house the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which will be relocated from a crowded residential area of Okinawa.
Anti-U.S. base protesters in canoe are blocked Thursday by a Japan Coast Guard speed boat in Nago, Okinawa. Japanese officials said buoys are being floated off the southernmost island of Okinawa in one of the first steps in the relocation of an American military base. The buoys define the area where the construction will begin on a facility in coastal Henoko that will house the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which will be relocated from a crowded residential area of Okinawa. (AP)
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In this aerial photo, workers in boats set up no-go zone Thursday in the sea off Nago, Okinawa. The buoys define the area where the construction will begin on a facility in coastal Henoko that will house the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which will be relocated from a crowded residential area of Okinawa. (AP)
TOKYO — Buoys were being floated off the southernmost island of Okinawa Thursday in one of the first steps in the long-planned but highly contentious relocation of an American military base.
The buoys define the area where preparations for construction will begin on a facility in coastal Henoko that will house the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which will be relocated from a crowded residential area of Okinawa.
Okinawa houses the majority of U.S. troops in Japan. Protests against the bases have been going on for decades. Aircraft noise, crashes and crime are among the frequent complaints.
The Japanese Defense Ministry confirmed the placing of buoys began Thursday but declined to give details, citing security concerns. Public broadcaster NHK showed protesters on boats being blocked by patrol boats, and others holding up signs outside the U.S. base saying “No new base.”
Opponents say majority of people are opposed to the construction, which some say would endanger the coral reef, tropical fish and other ocean life.
Land reclamation is needed for an airstrip to be built over the water from Camp Schwab, a U.S. military base. The buoys mark the location where boring of the seabed will take place for a government study to prepare for construction.
Japanese media reports said the drilling could start as early as this weekend. The Defense Ministry declined comment. The U.S. military also had no immediate comment on the activities Thursday.
Many Okinawans want the U.S. off the island entirely, but public opinion is divided with Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima backing the plan.
The Marines’ relocation to Henoko is part of a broader plan to consolidate and reduce the U.S. military presence in Okinawa. Previous efforts to implement the move have stalled. The U.S. and Japan agreed on the plan in 1996.
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has repeatedly said the plan is important for the crucial alliance with the U.S. amid territorial disputes with China and the nuclear threat from North Korea.
But Susumu Inamine, the mayor of Nago, where Henoko is located, noted his reelection earlier this year underlines the people’s opposition to the plan.
He said assessments on environmental damage were not thorough enough, and accused the government of forcing the issue.
“Pushing forward with this tramples on the human rights of the people, and the rich diverse natural life of this region. This is no longer about democracy,” Inamine said in a statement.

74 percent of Okinawan people oppose the Henoko relocation




[Editorial] Abe administration signals future reign of terror in Henoko



The government is controlling the residents by force in Henoko, Nago. As far as we know, the government has never unleashed such reckless disregard of the will of the people, as we have seen at Henoko. The Ministry of Defense installed salvage barges in the sea of Henoko for undersea drilling for building an air base to replace Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

The government has clamped down on the resistance in the past. However, 74 percent of Okinawan people oppose the Henoko relocation. We wonder if there has ever been a case like this, where the government has trampled on the will of the overwhelming majority of people in the prefecture elsewhere in Japan. This action by the government evokes memories of the crackdown against peasants during the Edo period.

The same repression also took place in Japan’s annexation of the Ryukyu Kingdom and the Battle of Okinawa. Japan’s annexation of the Ryukyu Kingdom is called “Ryukyu Shobun” or disposal of the Ryukyu Kingdom, in 1879. In 1944 during the Battle of Okinawa, the Japanese military in Okinawa issued a decree that “the military, the bureaucracy and the people will all live as one, and die as one.” Okinawan people were forced to commit mass suicide. This history is a form of structural discrimination against Okinawan people, if such incidents have never taken place elsewhere in Japan. This is a barbaric action by the government, and so shameful if the international community just stands by.

Government ignores provisions of the Constitution

In Henoko, the government has responded with an attitude that they will allow physical force, even injury on residents who are against the government. They have shown their hostility and malice towards the residents. We have felt empty and completely discouraged. Particularly, the Japan Coast Guard showed its hard-line stance,. They asserted, “to ensure safety.” It is a quite ridiculous pretence. On August 15, crew-members of the coast guard removed a protester forcibly. At that time, his broken glasses cut his face. This is ironic because they caused injury to a resident despite saying they were removing him for his safety.

For the first time in the 18-year saga of the Henoko relocation plan, the government has unilaterally set up an always-off-limits water area in Oura Bay without any legal basis. This is a method employed by the government to deprive the residents of the right to access the sea. It is the same as that used by rulers during the Edo period. The coast guard has detained citizens outside of the off-limits area without showing legal basis. They gave a warning to residents who were sailing from a fishing port to protest against the work. They threatened, speaking in loud voices, the residents who were approaching the off-limits area. The Constitution provides that “no person shall be deprived of liberty without due process of law.” The coast guard has also violated Article 35 of the Constitution that provides for the principle of warrant. Thus, Japan is not a law-abiding country.

These acts are questionable on a legal basis. Who are outlaws of the sea, the residents or the coast guard? We suppose the Japan Coast Guard had better change its name to the “Security Service for construction of US military base” in the future. We know the efforts made by the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters to win credibility from the residents after Okinawa’s reversion to Japan in 1972. They are now appear to be trashing the credibility of the organization in Henoko, in just a few days. We would like the coast guard to know the reality of Okinawa. Even so, there is an irony about the saga on the sea of Henoko.

The Ministry of Defense, Japan, safeguards the U.S. forces, which is the strongest military power in the world. The Japan Coast Guard and the police protect the Ministry of Defense. Security of a private company are placed on the front line. People who are supposed to hold the power and interests involving national defense, including diplomatic and defense officials, are observing the conflict between the residents and the security guards from a safe heigh.

A sacrifice stone to protect mainland Japan again

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reportedly cross-examined defense officials about why the construction work was delayed and strongly urged them to accelerate the work. This is revealed in a new report by a lawmaker close to the prime minister. According to the report, the Falklands war waged by the U.K. in South America, boosted the flagging support rate for the Thatcher cabinet. The Abe administration appears to have learned from historical precedents in which state leaders acquired their centripetal forces by fuelling nationalism. Prime Minister Abe has taken a tough stance against China over the disputed Senkaku Islands. The Abe administration is determined to build a new air base in Henoko to get the U.S. forces involved in the Senkaku Islands dispute. They are sacrificing beautiful nature, land, and the safety of Okinawa as a tribute to the United States to gain its favour.

A perspective of Henoko reminds us of a strategy employed by the Japanese Imperial Army during the Battle of Okinawa. They made use of Okinawa, a “sacrifice stone” in order to postpone the decisive battle in mainland Japan. This strategy destroyed Okinawa. The coast guard has prevented the boats hired by news media from approaching the waters. The government is trying to punish the people who access information that it does not want to let them knowThis is a step forward to the reign of terror. The landfill approval by Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima has led to this confusion. His approval of the landfill permit has no legitimacy because he acted contrary to his pledge for the election. The government should stop the work in Henoko immediately if Japan is a democratic country. In the gubernatorial election in November, candidates should ask voters whether they approve or disapprove construction of the air base in Henoko.


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By KAZUO YAMAGISHI/ Staff Writer


NAGO, Okinawa Prefecture--With the government moving quickly on the planned relocation of Air Station Futenma to the Henoko district, about 3,600 demonstrators occupied the street in front of U.S. Marine Corps Camp Schwab here in a massive protest on Aug. 23.

To oppose the start of exploration drilling in the waters off Camp Schwab for land reclamation for a new runway, protesters lined the road for hundreds of meters. They chanted in unison, “Stop the construction of the new base” and “Stop the exploration drilling.”

The event was organized by local peace groups and opposition groups in the prefectural assembly, which brought participants to Nago in more than 30 chartered buses.

Okinawan legislators and peace campaign leaders gave impassioned speeches against the base relocation.

“We must open a new chapter of history by refusing the creation of a base that we Okinawans oppose,” one of the speakers said.

The speakers also repeatedly criticized Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima for giving the green light to the relocation of Futenma to Henoko, backing off his earlier pledge to demand the Futenma base be relocated outside the prefecture.

Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine, a staunch opponent of the Futenma relocation within Okinawa, said Okinawans must never give up the fight, because it is high time for them to demonstrate their spirit to the rest of the Japanese.