People of Okinawa Say "Shut It Down"

More than 10,000 people protested on Okinawa against US Army exercises using live ammunition in the town of Kin. Protesters included Okinawa Governor Keiichi Inamine. Marching up to the front gate of Camp Hansen, the demonstrators called on the US Army to stop the exercises and remove the facility, claiming that people living in the vicinity risk the danger of being hit by stray bullets.

According to Stars and Stripes Gov. Keiichi Inamine told the banner-carrying protestors gathered in a park near the Marine Corps base, that he’s indignant about the military beginning the training on Range 4. The new training complex there is too close to a residential area and the Okinawa Expressway, the governor said. “The training began by ignoring voices of Igei residents and people of Okinawa,” Inamine said, voicing concerns about stray bullets. “I will make every effort to stop the training at the urban warfare training facility.”

Also on hand was the Mayor of Kin, Tsuyoshi Gibu, who said the turnout proved the strong unity felt by the people of Okinawa toward stopping the training facility. “How on earth can they guarantee us safety,” he asked, “while the training site is so close to our community?”

At the end of the rally, the protesters unanimously agreed to demand the training facility be immediately closed and that all portions of Camp Hansen within Igei community limits be closed.

After the rally, protesters marched to Camp Hansen’s main gate. “We want the training facility be removed and if possible, the military base itself closed,” said Akemi Toyama of Igei, who joined in the rally with her children, ages 6 and 1. “When the military began the training, we could hear the noise from our home. It is very scary thinking that bullets might go astray any moment.”

Last Friday Japan's Okinawa prefectural assembly adopted a resolution opposing planned U.S. military exercises, including ones using live ammunition, at the new combat exercise facility. The resolution states that the planned drill at the facility, being close to residential areas, would expose nearby residents to the danger of being hit by stray bullets. It also states that using the facility for military exercises, even on a temporary basis, is not acceptable because doing so would ignore the fear and anxiety of local residents.

Stars and Stripes quotes Col. Victor Warzinski, U.S. Forces Japan spokesman who seems oblivious to the feelings of the people of Okinawa, “U.S. forces in Japan will continue to conduct mission-essential training to meet Japan-U.S. Security Treaty obligations in a safe, effective and efficient manner. The Army Training Range facility is essential to assuring that our forces receive the necessary training to meet our obligations to assist in the defense of Japan and to help provide stability in the region.” Sources: Stars and Stripes, Army Times, People’s Daily (China), CRI