Okinawa Assembly Calls for End to Discrimination Against SDF Personnel

On October 8, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly passed a resolution calling for an end to discrimination against members of Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and their families. It urged citizens to show greater understanding and cooperation for their service.

The move followed controversy over the participation of the Ground Self-Defense Force's 15th Brigade Eisa team in the annual Okinawa All-Island Eisa Festival in Okinawa City.

Several civic groups had objected, including the Okinawa Citizens' Conference to Stop the Henoko Base Construction, co-led by Constitutional Democratic Party lawmaker Mio Nakamura. Speaking for themselves, they argued that the SDF's presence was "unacceptable to local sentiment."

Festival organizers, however, permitted the team to perform, emphasizing that "politics has no place in the event."

Public reaction online was swift. Many users condemned the anti-SDF protests as a form of occupational discrimination. The audience ultimately greeted the SDF performers with warm applause.

Governor Denny Tamaki later remarked that the decision to allow their participation "should have been explained more carefully to avoid public backlash."

Resolution and Debate

The prefectural assembly resolution replaced an earlier LDP draft that explicitly condemned "occupational discrimination" with softer language referring instead to "discriminatory tendencies." Backed by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito, it affirmed that, while criticism of defense policy falls within the bounds of free expression, it is unacceptable for Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel or their families to be denied social participation or have their dignity harmed on that basis.

The All-Okinawa coalition opposed the measure. Its member Chofu Zukeran (Social Mass Party) warned that the public may interpret the resolution as a government attempt to suppress free expression. He argued that Okinawans have a right to voice "fear, unease, and criticism" toward the SDF's presence.

*Executives of the LDP's Okinawa prefectural chapter hold an emergency press conference in Naha. October 8. (©Sankei by Naoki Otake)*

However, LDP lawmaker Harutoshi Shinzato voiced firm support for the measure, declaring:

"What right does anyone have to exclude SDF members from the Eisa Festival simply because of their profession? Bringing politics into Eisa is absolutely unacceptable."

Broader Context and Significance

The Sankei Shimbun editorial board praised the assembly's decision, calling it a display of "common sense" in the face of persistent left-wing hostility toward the SDF. According to the editorial, the resolution rightly recognized that SDF personnel "play a vital role in protecting the safety and daily lives of Okinawan citizens."

The piece went on to note that discriminatory behavior toward SDF members has occurred in Okinawa's past, from the denial of administrative services to exclusion from community events.

It added that such attitudes persist today, though often in subtler forms. Passing the resolution, it argued, sends a clear message that such conduct "undermines social maturity, diversity, and the spirit of coexistence."

Political Divide

Recent surveys indicate that around 80% of Okinawans support the SDF and its disaster-response missions. In its editorial, The Sankei Shimbun concluded that invoking "the will of the people" to justify discrimination against the SDF "has no justification whatsoever."

Meanwhile, the LDP and Komeito majority voted in favor, but the left-leaning bloc aligned with Governor Denny Tamaki opposed the measure, arguing that it could "chill free speech."

Earlier, the same anti-SDF group had submitted a separate opinion paper demanding an apology from Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, who had described "excessive protests and obstruction" of SDF activities as "deeply regrettable." That motion was ultimately voted down.

A Step Toward Reconciliation

By passing the resolution, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly has taken a step toward healing long-standing divisions between local anti-base activism and Japan's national defense institutions. The measure affirms that while criticism of policy is legitimate, ostracizing individual service members or their families is not.

As Okinawa continues to balance its complex history with Japan's security realities, the assembly's decision marks a small but meaningful gesture toward mutual respect. It is also a reminder that those who serve to protect also deserve dignity within their own communities.

(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Naoki Otake, The Sankei Shimbun, and JAPAN Forward