2024.9

Voice of Okinawa and Ryukyu

Lecture Series No. 5

Deployment of Self-Defense Forces and Life, Peace, and Environment in the Islands

 

Voice of Okinawa and Ryukyu will hold the 5th lecture of its lecture series in Ishigaki City. “Walk, see, and think.” We share our concerns about the deterioration of the production base and natural environment, changes in the economic climate, local cultural heritage, and military fortification by constructing Self-Defense Forces base. We will hold a study session to consider what we can do and how to act.

The Japanese government enacted the Security legislation in 2015. In 2021, it passed the “Important Land Regulation Law,” and the Cabinet approved three security-related documents that enable enemy base attacks. Furthermore, large-scale Japan-U.S. joint military exercises are conducted yearly near the Ryukyu Arc in anticipation of contingencies.

In the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands, the Self-Defense Forces use civilian ports and airports, bring in missiles using public roads, and conduct walking drills without the consent of residents. Evacuation from the islands to Kyushu at Taiwan Emergency is also planned. This means the island residents will lose their livelihoods and be forced to start their lives in a strange place. This situation is causing severe anxiety among the people and reminds us of the eve of war.

　We want to think and act together with you to resist the militarization of the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands. We hope you will join us.

 

Symposium

     Deployment of Self-Defense Forces and Life, Peace, and Environment on Islands 

Date: October 27 (Sun.) 10:00-15:30 (12:00-13:00 break)

Venue: Ishigaki City Health and Welfare Center 2F Audio Visual Room

Organized by “Voices of Okinawa and Ryukyu”

Co-organized by: Citizens' Liaison Group for Peace and Nature Conservation of Ishigaki Island

Supported by: 

Miyako Island Residents' Association for No More Missile Base

Grandmother's Association for Protecting Life and Livelihood

Team Ishigaki for No More Base

Isoba Association for a Bright Future in Yonaguni Island

 

On-site participation requires no reservation, 500 yen for materials, and is free of charge.

Online participation requires advance registration.

  　For application ⇒ https://ryukyus.peatix.com/　

　  For inquiries, please get in touch with ⇒ [email protected]

 

 

Program

 

・Morning (regional report)

Masaru Minei:Self-Defense Forces Issues in Ishigaki and What We Can Learn from Life and History

Kiyomi Uezato: Self-Defense Forces Issues in Miyako and Shimojijima Airport

Hiromoto Komine: Border Defense Policy from the Perspective of an Endless Island

・Afternoon (Keynote Speech)

Kaori Sunagawa: Environmental Assessment Issues Related to the Military Fortification of the Nansei Islands

Q&A: Exchange of opinions on struggles in various regions

 

Content of Lecture

 

Masaru Minei 

Director of Omoto Community Center

　After the Disposition of Ryukyu, the Battle of Okinawa, and postwar U.S. military rule, we have cultivated the middle of Omoto-dake from scratch, making the most of the peaceful and prosperous natural environment and turning it into a production site. There, the construction of a Self-Defense Forces camp, which evaded environmental assessments, was forced through and is now being expanded even further.

 

Kiyomi Uezato 

Co-chair of the Miyako Island Residents' Association for No More Missile Base

　The land-based missile base was built (they say) to protect the island from a possible Chinese attack. Residents are anxious about being sacrificed on the island turned into a military fortress and cannot see a future for themselves. How can we live in a situation where the island, becoming a tourist attraction, is militarized simultaneously without any explanation?

 

Hiromoto Komine 

Former Yonaguni Town Councilor

　The vision for Yonaguni's self-reliance was based on the basic principles of self-reliance, autonomy, and coexistence. Its goal is to develop the island as a center of exchange with Asian countries. Increasing defense spending will only exhaust people mentally and economically. Japan should promote agriculture. We want to protect the lives and livelihoods of the islanders.

 

Kaori Sunagawa

Associate Professor, Okinawa International University

　Under the Environmental Impact Assessment Law and Okinawa Prefecture's Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance, the Japanese government can evade environmental assessment for constructing a Self-Defense Forces base in the Nansei Islands by intentionally manipulating its timing, scale, and entity. What steps can be taken to address this issue?

“Voice of Okinawa and Ryukyu”

Lecture Series No. 4

 

Don't allow to make Okinawa a base of

Japan-U.S. joint operations!

Against the Deployment of surface-to-ship missiles, Construction of Okinawa ammunition depot, and Ground Self-Defense Force training range

 

Explanation of purpose

　Currently, in the Islands of the Ryukyu Arc, from Yonaguni Island in Yaeyama to Mage Island in Satsunan Islands, construction of Self-Defense Forces bases and deployment of troops for coastal surveillance, electronic warfare, missiles, etc. are ongoing. This is because the Japanese government, along with the U.S. government, is rapidly proceeding a "Southwest shift" of the Self-Defense Forces by emphasizing the "Taiwan contingency. " Additionally, specific important airports and ports have been selected throughout Japan for the aircrafts and vessels of the Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard. The building of the facilities for large ammunition storage for medium- and long-range missiles has been also planned and it is undertaken.

　In Okinawa, despite the protests of many citizens, a surface-to-ship missile unit was deployed to Katsuren Sub-Camp in Katsuren Uchima, Uruma City in March of this year, and vehicles and materials were brought in. In Ikehara, Okinawa City, there is a plan to build an explosives depot, warehouse, and fuel facility within the JGSDF Okinawa Training Area, and citizens’ protest against it continues.

　While, in Ishikawa, Uruma City, the Ministry of Defense announced a plan to acquire a former golf course site to build a training site for the JSDF, the citizens of the area raised a prefecture-wide opposition campaign, and in April this year, the Ministry of Defense abandoned the plan to build a training site there.

　In this fourth lecture series, we address the above issues such as the building of Self-Defense Forces bases and facilities and the deployment and storage of missiles, ammunition, and other items.

　We hope that many of you will join us. We especially ask for the participation and coverage of the media.

 

Date: July 20 (Sat) 13:30~17:00

　　　   　(Doors open at 13:00~)　

Venue: Okinawa University Main Building Alumni Hall

Organized by: Voice of Okinawa and Ryukyu 

Co-organized by Okinawa University

 

No reservation is required for on-site participation, and 500 yen is charged for materials.

Online: Japanese only. Advance reservation is required.

Pre-reservation for online participation: To register ⇒ 　　　　　　　　　https://ryukyus.peatix.com/ 

For inquiries, please contact ⇒

  　　　　　　　　[email protected]

 

Moderator: Kunio Arakaki 

(Executive Director, “No More Battle of Okinawa: Nuchi du Takara” Association)

Greeting: Hiroyuki Teruya

(Co-chairperson, Uruma Citizen’s group to protect life from Missiles Installations)

 

Lecturers and Themes

Hidekazu Miyagi: Efforts to address the crisis of missile fortification and future prospects

Hiromasa Iha: Report on the campaign against the construction of the Self-Defense Forces Training range in Uruma City

Hiromi Moromizato: Do not allow to make Okinawa a base for Japan-U.S. military integration

Yasutake Onaha: Resist turning Okinawa into a "War Front”

Shohei Tsukazaki: The Southwest Shift of the Self-Defense Forces, and its Impact on Okinawa Residents

 

Profile

 

Hidekazu Miyagi

　Secretary General of the Uruma Citizen’s Group to protect life from Missiles Installations. Although a regimental headquarters for surface-to-ship missiles has been established at the Katsuren Sub-camp of the Ground Self-Defense Force, our campaign is not over. We summarize our past opposition and blocking actions. Adding new perspectives for the future movement, we would like to consider together with the local people how we can discern the crisis of missile deployment and national military expansion. 

 

Hiromasa Iha

　Executive Director of the Association calling for the Abandonment of the Self-Defense Forces Training Site Project. He was in the first grade of Miyamori Elementary School in June 1959 when a U.S. jet plane crashed in his hometown of Ishikawa, Uruma City. He has engaged in a succession activity to keep the memory of the tragic accident as a member of “NPO Ishikawa, Miyamori 630 Association.”

 

Hiromi Moromizato

　Executive Director of the Association of “Okinawa Citizens Against the Construction of Ammunition Depots by the Self-Defense Forces.” Its primary objective is to oppose the construction of the Self-Defense Force’s ammunition depots and expand its action to protect Article 9 of the Constitution, which declares renunciation of war. Secretary General of Okinawa Citizens Conference to stop building a new base in Henoko. Secretary General of the Okinawa Branch of the 4th Kadena Air Base Noise Injunction Lawsuit Plaintiffs' Group. He is serving his fourth term as a member of the Okinawa City Council.

 

Yasutake Onaha

　Head of the Editorial Board of Ryukyu Shimpo. He joined Ryukyu Shimpo in 1990. Having served as the Chubu News Department Chief, Culture Department Chief, and Social Affairs Department Chief, he is currently the editorial director of the Ryukyu Shimpo. He has been involved in planning and reporting programs related to the Battle of Okinawa, including a campaign calling for the preservation and opening to the public of the 32nd Army headquarters bunker built under Shurijo Castle during the Battle of Okinawa.

 

Shohei Tsukazaki

　Shohei Tsukazaki is a reporter in the production department of the QAB news department of Ryukyu Asahi Broadcasting Corporationand has been involved in the "Okinawa and the Self-Defense Forces" project, in the evening news programs since January 2023, covering the SDF’s Southwest Shift, Civil protection, etc. His documentary program "Crushed Independence: Yonaguni Island and Deployment of Self-Defense Forces" was produced in February 2024 and broadcast nationwide on the TV Asahi network.

  

*** Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) ***

True Security from a Gender Perspective

－Towards Demilitarization and Decolonization－

 

Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence

 

　“Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence” was founded in 1995 in response to the assault of a young girl by U.S. soldiers, with the determination never to allow such crimes. We published the book "Sexual Crimes Against Women by U.S. Soldiers in Okinawa" in 1996 (now in its 13th edition) and organized a peace caravan to appeal to the American public. This activity led to the formation in 1997 of the "International Women's Network Against Militarism," a network of solidarity among women in areas where U.S. troops are stationed.

　Through network meetings, global solidarity has been formed in Okinawa, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Guam, Australia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the mainland United States. This network examines the demilitarization and decolonization of security from a gender perspective. Based on reports on the current situation in each country and region, the network also addresses the common issues of violence, environmental destruction, discrimination, and colonial rule by bases and troops.

　“The International Women's Network Against Militarism” continues to seek true security through solidarity between women in regions and countries where military forces are stationed and those in countries that send their troops. In the third lecture, we report on our activities to realize this goal.

 

■Voices of Okinawa and Ryukyu: Third in a Series of Lectures

Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024, 13:30-17:00

Venue: Okinawa University Alumni Hall (Kokuba, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture)

Organized by: Voice of Okinawa and Ryukyu

Co-sponsored by: Okinawa University

　No reservation required for on-site participation, 500 yen for materials, no charge for participation.

　Online: Japanese only. Advance reservation is required.

   Pre-reservation for online participation: To register ⇒ https://ryukyus.peatix.com/ 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

　For inquiries, please contact ⇒ [email protected]

　(Please apply under your name with your affiliation)

■Presenters and Themes

Suzuyo Takazato:

  An International Network Born from Actions calling for Dialogue

Harumi Miyagi:

  Structural Sexual Violence in the Japan-US Alliance Relationship

Kozue Akibayashi:

  International Network Continuity for Redefining Security

Ayano Ginoza: Experiences of Women's Activism Against Militarism

Ai Tamaki: Challenges at hand and the future of the network

 

■Profile

Suzuyo Takazato

　Co-chair of Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence. Women's advisor in Tokyo and Naha. Served as a Naha city councilor for four terms. Co-sponsor of the Peace Citizens Liaison Committee, co-chair of the All Okinawa Conference, and a founder of the International Women's Network Against Militarism.

Harumi Miyagi

　A member of the Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence. Researcher of Okinawan women’s history. By researching the military and its sexual violence, particularly through a study of “Mass suicide” in the battle of Okinawa, she clarified the structural violence of the military and patriarchy as background.  Since 1996, she has been working on a chronology of "Sexual Crimes against Women by U.S. Soldiers in Okinawa.

Kozue Akibayashi

　Professor at Doshisha University Graduate School, WILPF Korean Peninsula Peace Project. Studied under Professor Betty Reardon at Columbia University and hosted the first Peace Caravan in New York in 1996. After working at Ritsumeikan University, she has been in her current position since 2014.

Ayano Ginoza

　Associate Professor at the Research Institute for Islands and Sustainability, University of the Ryukyus. She received her degree in American Studies in the United States. She was a member of Women for Genuine Security for 8 years while teaching at a university in California. She has been in her current position since 2017.

Ai Tamashiro

　She researches the history of Okinawan women’s social movements. Currently, she works for "Oniwa", a General Incorporated Association that supports women's pregnancy and childbirth. From the standpoint of considering and protecting women's human rights, she opposes the planned construction of a Self-Defense Forces training range in Asahi-ku, Ishikawa, Uruma City.

 

Voice of Okinawa and Ryukyu

　 Co-Representatives: Kunitoshi Sakurai, Keiko Yonaha, Miho Tambara 

　 E-mail：[email protected]

 

*** Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) ***

 

Media expose the hidden truth for the sake of all human rights!

~ The truth about Okinawa and the islands of the Ryukyu arc facing a "new pre-war"! ~ 

 

Voice of Okinawa and Ryukyu

Lecture Series No. 2

On the issue of the construction of the new base at Henoko

 

　Our purpose is to bring the voices of the citizens of Okinawa and the Arc of the Ryukyu Islands to the world. Currently, the Japanese government is emphasizing the "Taiwan contingency," building Self-Defense Forces bases on islands in the Ryukyu Arc near Taiwan and China, and deploying missiles, weapons, and ammunition. This is in order to unite with U.S. bases and U.S. forces to oppose China.

　In response to this, citizens' voices are growing louder: "Don't repeat the Battle of Okinawa again! In the Battle of Okinawa, more than 120,000 civilians were killed between 1944 and 1945, more than the approximately 100,000 military personnel. We will never forget this fact.

　On the other hand, this militarization of Okinawa and the Ryukyu arc, which could be called the "new prewar" situation, is hardly reported by the media and is unknown even overseas. For this reason, we are organizing a series of lectures and field tours to bring the voices of Okinawan citizens to the media and citizens of the world.

　We hope that everyone, especially the media, will take an interest in, cover, and report on the militarization of Okinawa and the Ryukyu Arc and the threat of war.

 

• Date: Sunday, February 18, 2024, 13:30-17:30
• Place: Room 101, Bldg. 3, Okinawa University (Naha City, Okinawa)
• Online Zoom: This time only in Japanese. Advance reservations required. ⇒　[email protected]   We will inform you of the Zoom URL around February 15.
•  The English digest will be available online at a later date.
• Organized by: Voice of Okinawa and Ryukyu
• Co-organized by Okinawa University

Inspection Tour to Henoko/Oura Bay and New Base Construction Site

• Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024, 9:00-18:00
• Course: Departure from Naha via USMC Air Station Futenma to Nago and back by chartered bus. Boarding of small boats at Henoko and Oura Bay.
• Guide: Yoshikazu Maxi

Voice of Okinawa and Ryukyu

　 Co-Representatives: Kunitoshi Sakurai, Keiko Yonaha, Miho Tambara 

　 E-mail：[email protected]