Okinawa had the 71st Memorial
Day on Thursday, which commemorated the huge amount of loss of lives in Battle
of Okinawa at the end of World War II. The battle was fought by Japanese
Imperial Army to protect the mainland from advance of United States Force at
the outpost. That is why the people in Okinawa realize the day with memory of
sacrifice for Japanese government. It was something different this year,
because they deeply grieved the death of a young woman raped and killed by U.S.
military personnel.
On June 23rd, 1945, main battle
in Okinawa ended after sacrifice of one-fourth of all citizens in Okinawa.
Afterward, the islands were occupied by U.S. Force and the people got under
control of American Force. In the Peace Treaty in San Francisco in 1951,
Okinawa was legally left under U.S. administration, while Japanese mainland
regained its sovereignty. Even after the return to Japan in 1972, most U.S.
military base in Japan is concentrated in Okinawa. The people in Okinawa are
frustrated with that situation and consecutive crimes committed by U.S.
military.
In the Peace Declaration of the Memorial
Ceremony, held on the Hill of Mabuni in Itoman City, Governor of Okinawa,
Takeshi Onaga, elaborated that endless crimes were caused by the existence of
the bases of American force. “The people in Okinawa Prefecture were deeply
shocked and felt uneasiness and strong anger on this inhumane and atrocious
incident,” told Onaga.
Onaga was frustrated with excessive burden
on Okinawa. He questioned whether human rights, such as liberty, equality or
democracy, were guaranteed to the people in Okinawa, which had to be a part of
Japanese citizenship. “To build true basis of peace, we immediately require
both governments of Japan and U.S. fundamental review of Status of Force
Agreement and lightening our burden of having U.S. bases including reduction of
Marine Corps and further closure of the bases. When he refused the relocation
plan of Futenma Marine Air Base to Henoko, the attendants of ceremony applauded
or whistled.
Notably enough, Onaga touched on the
possibility of independence of Okinawa. “As engraved on the Bell of Bridging
Nations, we will make efforts to succeed the spirit of our ancestors who traded
with Asia and Japan, to be a bridge between Asia-Pacific region and Japan, and
to promote exchanges of people, culture or economy,” said Onaga. In the context
of his remarks, Okinawa was located outside of Japan, as an independent entity
of international trade. It is skeptical for both governments to find the deep
disappointment in it.
No comments:
Post a Comment