Belatedly let me wish you all a Happy New Year 2014 ! Did I say the same thing for 2013 !?
It was the voting day yesterday 19 January for the Mayoralty of Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture. Though there were less than 50,000 voters, it was an important election. The Government, in collaboration with the US under the Security Treaty, wants to build there a US airbase with 2,500 metre V-shape airstrips by reclaiming beautiful coral sea. The decision was taken in November 1997. In the next month a residents' vote was taken and the majority voted against the plan. Since then there has been a continuing opposition for 17 years. Mr. Inamine Susumu, 68, is the sitting mayor, and has stood again for a four-year term from the anti-base camp, with the only opponent backed by the LDP and the Governor of Okinawa. The result was 20 to 16 thousand, with a distance of a little more than four thousand, a convincing victory. Japan is not a federal polity, but Governors and Mayors have got certain administrative power. It is not certain what the new Mayor will do, but with his firmness of mind and the backing of the majority of the voters he can do at least something to stop the building of the base.
The voters were against noise, crimes, accidents, and environmental destruction. Several factors have worked in favour of Susumu. At the end of the last year the Governor, who had been expected to say No to the Government on this matter, expressed Yes, after he was offered the transfer of money by the Government more than he had expected. Susumu said that he had never suspected this would happen. It was called the Governor's betrayal. People expected him not to sell the pride of Okinawa. The Prefectural Assembly has passed resolutions expressing opposition to the base, and demanding the resignation of the Governor. The anger is still to be seen among the voters. To make it worse, the LDP hinted at pouring a huge sum of money in return for the victory of their candidate, which kept many away.
One thing more. How will the result influence the relations with our neighbours which are not at their best? Absolutely no harm. On the contrary, it will hopefully be seen as a sign of Japan going less military-minded. We hope that the US will also see it that way and accommodate herself with it. After all they have a Peace-Prize laureate at the top！
It was the voting day yesterday 19 January for the Mayoralty of Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture. Though there were less than 50,000 voters, it was an important election. The Government, in collaboration with the US under the Security Treaty, wants to build there a US airbase with 2,500 metre V-shape airstrips by reclaiming beautiful coral sea. The decision was taken in November 1997. In the next month a residents' vote was taken and the majority voted against the plan. Since then there has been a continuing opposition for 17 years. Mr. Inamine Susumu, 68, is the sitting mayor, and has stood again for a four-year term from the anti-base camp, with the only opponent backed by the LDP and the Governor of Okinawa. The result was 20 to 16 thousand, with a distance of a little more than four thousand, a convincing victory. Japan is not a federal polity, but Governors and Mayors have got certain administrative power. It is not certain what the new Mayor will do, but with his firmness of mind and the backing of the majority of the voters he can do at least something to stop the building of the base.
The voters were against noise, crimes, accidents, and environmental destruction. Several factors have worked in favour of Susumu. At the end of the last year the Governor, who had been expected to say No to the Government on this matter, expressed Yes, after he was offered the transfer of money by the Government more than he had expected. Susumu said that he had never suspected this would happen. It was called the Governor's betrayal. People expected him not to sell the pride of Okinawa. The Prefectural Assembly has passed resolutions expressing opposition to the base, and demanding the resignation of the Governor. The anger is still to be seen among the voters. To make it worse, the LDP hinted at pouring a huge sum of money in return for the victory of their candidate, which kept many away.
One thing more. How will the result influence the relations with our neighbours which are not at their best? Absolutely no harm. On the contrary, it will hopefully be seen as a sign of Japan going less military-minded. We hope that the US will also see it that way and accommodate herself with it. After all they have a Peace-Prize laureate at the top！
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