February 4, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo
Tokyo—On the evening of February 3, citizens opposed to the relocation of U.S. Air Station Futenma to Henoko, Nago City, protested in front of the Japanese Prime Minister’s official residence in Tokyo. The protest was precipitated by the Fukuoka High Court Naha branch’s ruling, in which the court sided with the central government and rejected the Okinawan government’s suit to block the transplantation of coral species from Oura Bay. According to organizers, about 100 citizens rushed to protest the quashing of local governance and dignity.
Yoichi Iha and Tetsumi Takara, members of the House of Councillors elected from Okinawa (Okinawa Whirlwind, or Okinawa no Kaze), joined the protest and criticized the court’s decision, and called for nation-wide solidarity to halt the base construction.
(English translation by T&CT and Monica Shingaki)
