Since 1975
TOKYO: A demonstration in central Tokyo on Sunday called for the freedom of the “Ryukyu Islands” and against their use for waging war.
The Ryukyu Islands, historically known as the Ryukyu Kingdom, were incorporated into Japan as the prefecture of Okinawa. After World War II, the United States took control of the islands and returned them to Japan in 1972. However, a significant American military presence remains there, which has been a source of tension and activism for the local population.
Activists in Tokyo passionately advocate for Okinawa to be ‘liberated’ from its role as a base for launching wars, instead envisioning a future of peace and freedom.
Sunday was Memorial Day in Okinawa, commemorating the “Battle of Okinawa” 79 years ago, in which around 200,000 people lost their lives.
A memorial service sponsored by the Okinawa prefectural government was held in the Peace Memorial Park in Okinawa on Sunday. Participants observed silence in honor of the war dead, laid flowers and renewed their pledge for peace.
Okinawa Governor TAMAKI Denny, in a stirring address, called for the challenges posed by an increasingly complex security environment to be resolved through the power of peaceful diplomacy and dialogue. He also firmly demanded the scaling down of America’s bases on the islands.
The names of 181 war victims were newly inscribed on the Cornerstone of Peace this year, bringing the total number of victims to 242,225.
