Don't Let Minority Leftists Hostage Okinawa and Japan's Security

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In Okinawa, left-wing forces have been engaging in a series of unorthodox acts to obstruct the Self-Defense Forces from accomplishing their mission.

For example, on September 13, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) conducted a supply transport training exercise on Miyakojima Island. It was part of a joint Japan-United States field training exercise in the Nansei Islands. However, that exercise and others had to be canceled due to interference from leftist groups.

The incident began as vehicles bearing GSDF Red Cross markings were unloaded from a ship at Hirara Port on Miyakojima Island. A group calling itself the "Miyakojima Residents Association Against Missile Bases" then stepped in. They blocked the entrance to the port to stage a protest and were able to prevent the training exercise from continuing.

It was outrageous news. Such exercises are conducted with the goal of protecting Japan, including Okinawa, from threats by China and other potential adversaries. GSDF's September 13 supply transport training exercise on Miyakojima was an integral part of Japan-US joint field training taking place in the Nansei Islands.

This is the strategically located chain of islands stretching from just south of Kyushu to just north of Taiwan. Regrettably, the planned exercise was aborted because of the left-wing group's interference.

A transport helicopter CH47JA of the 15th Brigade of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces (Naha City)

Poor Response to Obstructionist Acts

Interfering with the proper conduct of training hinders the Self-Defense Forces from improving Japan's national deterrence and response capabilities. That puts the lives of Japanese citizens at risk. Those who would oppose such exercises are terribly misguided. Surely government officials and military leaders in China and North Korea are roaring with laughter at such stupidity.

Of course, individuals are free to conduct demonstrations as long as they do not abuse the freedom of speech to interfere with such exercises. However, by obstructing the passage of training vehicles, they go beyond free speech and violate democratic principles.

The Okinawa Prefectural Police's response to the incident also raises questions. Police officers rushed to the scene but were unable to end the disturbance.

Why didn't the police shut down the demonstration when there was obvious cause for suspicion that the demonstrators were engaged in unlawful obstruction of the execution of official duties? They should not have hesitated to remove individuals or make arrests of those who had placed themselves in front of the vehicles.

Moreover, this was not the only incident of concern. In August, a left-wing group hurled insults at new GSDF recruits through a loudspeaker during a disaster prevention training exercise in Miyakojima City. That led to a confrontation with the enraged commander of the recruits. There is much cause for concern about the recent escalation of obstruction activities against the Self-Defense Forces.

Commanders of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the US Marine Corps held a joint press conference at the Japan Ground SDF Ishigaki Garrison on September 17 on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture.

Shameful Discrimination

Hard as it is to believe, there have even been cases of occupational discrimination against SDF members in Okinawa Prefecture.

In Okinawa City, an SDF team planned to participate in an event where youth groups and others performed dances to honor their ancestors. However, the left-wing group "Okinawa Citizens' Council to Stop the Construction of the New Base at Henoko" demanded that the organizers not allow the SDF group to participate. They declared that "it is unacceptable given the feelings of the prefecture's residents."

This group is part of the "All Okinawa" coalition that supports Governor Denny Tamaki. It is co-chaired by Mio Nakamura, a member of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly and a representative of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP).

The governor and the CDP headquarters should be striving to put an end to this discrimination directed at SDF members. It is wrong that they seem to prefer to play the role of unconcerned bystanders.

The majority of residents in Okinawa Prefecture support SDF activities. Fortunately, in the end, the SDF team was allowed to participate in the Okinawa City event. They also received a big round of applause from the locals they passed along the road.

Governor Tamaki and the left-wing forces that support him should ponder deeply about the meaning of that applause.