NAHA - A peace march calling for the reduction of the burden caused by U.S. military bases was held in Okinawa on May 17th, marking 53 years since the prefecture's reversion to Japan.
With no clear progress toward base reduction and Japan's Self-Defense Forces continuing their shift toward the southwest, participants expressed hopes for a "peaceful island without bases."
The march took place around key U.S. military facilities, including the Futenma Air Station in Ginowan and Kadena Air Base, which spans Kadena and other towns. Protesters voiced their opposition to the continued heavy military presence and demanded a shift toward peaceful development.
Protests against U.S. military bases in Okinawa have a long and deeply rooted history, tracing back to the postwar era when the U.S. maintained direct control over the islands even after Japan regained sovereignty in 1952. Okinawa remained under U.S. administration until its reversion to Japan in 1972, during which time large portions of land were seized—often forcibly—for military use, displacing residents and leaving scars that persist to this day. The heavy concentration of U.S. forces in Okinawa, which hosts about 70% of all U.S. military facilities in Japan despite accounting for less than 1% of the nation's land area, has led to decades of resentment. Incidents such as the 1959 crash of a U.S. fighter jet into an elementary school in Ishikawa City and the 1995 gang rape of a 12-year-old Okinawan girl by three American servicemen ignited large-scale demonstrations and drew national attention to the issue. These events served to crystallize public anger, with tens of thousands rallying against the perceived injustice and unequal burden placed on the prefecture.
The protests have continued across decades, adapting to new developments while maintaining the central demand for the reduction or removal of U.S. bases. Opposition to the relocation of the Futenma Air Station to the coastal area of Henoko in Nago has been particularly intense. Local referendums, including one in 2019 in which over 70% of voters opposed the relocation plan, have demonstrated overwhelming resistance, yet construction continues under the central government’s direction, deepening a sense of political marginalization among residents. The arrival of Osprey aircraft, noise pollution, environmental degradation, and the fear of accidents and crimes have all fueled public discontent. While the Japanese government and the U.S. maintain that the bases are essential for regional security, many Okinawans argue that their rights and safety are being sacrificed disproportionately for a national strategy they have little say in. The ongoing protests, including peace marches, sit-ins, and legal actions, reflect a sustained civil movement rooted in local identity, historical memory, and a strong desire for demilitarization and peace.
Source: Kyodo
