Our Views about the Reply by the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture to our Open Letter Concerning the Relocation of Futenma Air Station of the U.S. Marine Corps to Nago
July 10, 2000
Governor of Okinawa: Keiichi Inamine
We have got a written reply from the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture,
Keiichi Inamine, dated 19 June to our open letter of 14 February
this year which reached a little too later than the time limit
we set (by the end of March). We, however, appreciate his effort
to make an answer. The Mayor of Nago replied us he did not answer
our questions this time. It is hoped that he change his mind and
respect our request. We would like to express our views as follows
and ask the Governor to reexamine our requests.
1. We are disappointed with the answer of the Governor
on the whole because of its equivocal wording. We suspect it comes
from an ambiguous attitude and the lack of autonomous independence
of the local government toward the central government. For example,
the written answer does not indicate the 15 years holding of the
new base by the U.S. and the protection of environment as 'prerequisite'
to accept the relocation of the base. It also simply evaluate
the effort of the Government by abstract wording like 'positive
effort' or 'minimized damage' which in turn is tantamount to support
the Government.
2. The four remarks shown by the Prefectural government
as the effects of relocation of the U.S. base.
(1) The will of the residents is possibly reflected
(not with the referendum in 1997 which result showed against the
base construction but) with the resolution of Nago city assembly
to promote the relocation.
(2) Reduction in total acreage of military bases possibly
resulted in the disposition and reduction of the U.S. Forces attained
in Okinawa
(3) Relocation of Futenma Air Station possibly alleviate
noise pollution
(4) The acceptance of the policy of Japanese Government
promote the economic development of Okinawa
All of these answers shows the Governor of Okinawa dodged the
main points of argument which were pointed out concretely in our
questions. So, we are not convinced by these replies.
3. The letter appreciates the
following two policy of the central government
(1) the establishment of an organization for environmental
survey
(2) the agreement between the government and Nago city
as a first step to resolve the problems.
It must be pointed out that it is unrealistic and irresponsible
to expect too much to the U.S. Forces and Japanese Government,
since U.S. Forces have been ignoring the aspiration of the Japanese
people and the Japanese Government bas been doing nothing in order
to rectify the situation Our scientists and experts have repeatedly
proved that the construction of the planned aviation base would
cause inevitable and irreversible destruction of the environment
and the ecosystem. These problems could not be resolved through
establishment of an institute or administrative and diplomatic
effects.
4. From these points of views, the reply of the Governor
has serious problems regarding that the local government of Okinawa
accepts the presence of the U.S. bases for the first time in history.
It would be a bad precedent. The issue has a deep connection with
peace and security of Japan and Asia and could not be overlooked
as a local issue of Okinawa prefecture. It is true that the most
criticized should be the U.S. and Japanese governments who are
pursuing the the policy of relocating of Futenma base to another
spot in Okinawa prefecture. However, the governor of Okinawa and
the Mayor of Nago city should withdraw the acceptance of the proposed
relocation of the base in conformity with the municipal independence.
We really hope this problem to be discussed throughout the nation.
Japan Scientists' Association (JSA), Peace Problem Research Committee:
Chairman, Tomoyasu Kawai
Academic Investigation to the Okinawa U.S. Offshore Base of 1997:
Leader, Masao Kihara
JSA Okinawa Branch: Representative Secretary, Hiroshi Takei
（note）
The official reply by the Governor of Okinawa was written in Japanese, and should not be translated by us JSA. Please request the explanation of the reply in English to Okinawa Prefecture directly: Document No. is So-Hen 99, dated June 19, 2000.
Open Letter Concerning the Relocation
of Futenma Air Station of U.S. Marine Corps to Nago('00.2.14)