Japanese people rallied outside the garrison of the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) on the Miyako Island, Okinawa Prefecture on Thursday to protest against military buildup on the island, including the establishment of a new missile base, saying it will heighten regional tensions.
Okinawa is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, which is very close to China's Taiwan region.
The GSDF garrison on the Miyako Island was built in 2019, which houses security forces, an anti-aircraft gun unit, a missile unit and other important armed units, and is equipped with many cutting-edge military equipment needed for electronic warfare.
Protesters from a local residents liaison group and other parts of the country chanted slogans, holding banners saying "leave a peaceful Miyako Island for children, no missile base," to express their concerns for the future and opposition to the base.
"We are against war and don't need any missiles. Spending huge national defense money on making these missiles is unnecessary to me," said a protester. Some other protesters said the missile base will by no means bring peace to Japan, but only risks and harm.
"I live in Tokyo. But I spent the recent month in Okinawa Prefecture, with about two weeks in Miyako Island and the remaining time in the main island of Okinawa. We really don't want to see war and I hope every one will think twice and move patiently for the sake of peace," one protester said.
The protesters also voiced strong opposition to the dangerous developments at the "2+2" security talks between Japanese and U.S. top diplomats and defense chiefs in Tokyo in late July, followed by the Japan-U.S. ministerial meeting on "extended deterrence" and a Quad foreign ministers' meeting between the United States, Japan, India and Australia.
"Japan has enough military bases, which is a heavy burden. I hope these bases will be turned into peace facilities to actively promote peace diplomacy [for Japan]," said a protester.
"Japan is building up its armaments throughout the country, during which the Ryukyu Islands are gradually becoming a major fortress. We feel a great sense of crisis. We believe that the arms deployment at the base will only escalate tensions," said Shimizu Hayako, executive director of the residents liaison group on Miyako Island.
Military buildup in Okinawa Prefecture to escalate regional tensions: Japanese protesters
Military buildup in Okinawa Prefecture to escalate regional tensions: Japanese protesters
Military buildup in Okinawa Prefecture to escalate regional tensions: Japanese protesters
