Military

Protesters Presented Grievances to Japanese Ministry of Defense

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Tokyo- PanOrient News/ Japanese protesters presented their grievances to Japanese Ministry of Defense in Tokyo opposing the resumption of work on the extension of an American military base in Okinawa called Camp Schwab.

Among the six grievances read to the representative from the Ministry of Defense were a request to stop work in Henoko Bay, a request to halt construction of the Takae heliport in the Yanbaru forest, and a request to stop sending Osprey planes into the Yamato region.

After reading the demands, a representative of the protesters urged the ministry official to relay the complaints to Defense Minister Taro Kono and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe so that they can be met.

Work to extend Camp Schwab, "which threatens the flora and fauna of Okinawa and whose cost has increased by an estimated $5.4 billion," had been suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic but resumed on June 12, 2020.

American bases in Okinawa occupy about 20% of the archipelago and for generations have angered islanders, pacifist groups and environmental associations, who have been calling for the departure of American soldiers. (PanOrient News)



© PanOrient News All Rights Reserved.




Military