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A30 world news
Dialuna 16 Mei 2022

Okinawa marks 50 years of end to US rule amid protests

(AP) — Okinawa Gov- Japanese missile defense and rity pact and 70% of military
ernor Denny Tamaki on amphibious capabilities on facilities are still in Okinawa,
Sunday urged Japan’s Okinawa’s outer islands, in- which accounts for only 0.6%
central government to do cluding Ishigaki, Miyako and of Japanese land. The burden
more to reduce the U.S. Yonaguni, which are close to has increased from less than
military presence in the geopolitical hotspots like Tai- 60% in 1972 because un-
southern island group as it wan. welcomed U.S. bases were
marked the 50th anniver- moved from the mainland.
sary of its return to Japan Okinawa was the site of one
after 27 years of American of the bloodiest battles of Emperor Naruhito, in his
rule, amid frustration and World War II, which killed online speech from his Tokyo
bitterness over a lack of about 200,000 people, nearly palace, acknowledged “many
support from the main- half of them Okinawan resi- issues” remain on Okinawa
land. dents. and said “I hope that the peo-
ple, including the younger
Tamaki said Okinawa has Okinawa was sacrificed by generation, will have a deeper
come a long way since the in Tokyo. The separate cer- More protests were held Japan’s imperial army to de- understanding of Okinawa.”
devastation of World War II emonies symbolize the deep Sunday on Okinawa, includ- fend the mainland, and many
and nearly three decades of divide in views over Oki- ing one in the prefectural Okinawans are skeptical that His abdicated father Aki-
U.S. rule, which ended when nawa’s history and ongoing capital of Naha, where nearly the Japanese military would hito, devoted to atoning for
it reverted to Japan on May suffering. 1,000 people renewed their protect them in future con- scars of the war fought in
15, 1972. But the tiny island demands for peace. flicts, experts say. his father Hirohito’s name,
group’s yearslong demand Prime Minister Fumio Kishi- was nearly hit by a Molotov
for the mainland to share its da said he takes Okinawa’s Resentment and frustration The U.S. military kept its cocktail during a 1975 visit as
security burden remains un- concerns seriously and will run deep in Okinawa over troop presence on the is- crown prince, but continued
resolved. make efforts to reduce the the heavy U.S. presence and land group for 20 years lon- showing a special interest in
burden while still maintain- Tokyo’s lack of effort to ne- ger than most of Japan, until Okinawa.
“I call on the central govern- ing U.S. military deterrence gotiate with Washington to 1972, due to Okinawa’s stra- U.S. President Joe Biden,
ment to share with the en- on the islands. balance the security burden tegic importance for Pacific who is scheduled to visit Ja-
tire nation the significance between mainland Japan and security to deter Russia and pan next week, praised the
of Okinawa’s reversion and Kishida and his minister in the southern island group. communism. strong U.S.-Japan alliance
the importance of permanent charge of the islands were in and their shared values and
peace that Okinawans have Okinawa, where hundreds of Because of the US. bases, Many Okinawans had hoped vision.
long craved for,” Tamaki said. protesters staged a rally Sat- Okinawa faces burdens in- that the islands’ return to Ja-
urday demanding a speedier cluding noise, pollution, ac- pan would improve the econ- “I am profoundly grateful for
Ceremonies marking the an- reduction of U.S. military cidents and crime related to omy and human rights situa- Japan’s resolute support for
niversary were held simulta- forces, as fears grow that American troops, Okinawan tion as well as base burdens. democracy, freedom, and the
neously in two locations — Okinawa may become a front officials and residents say. rule of law and for Okinawa’s
one in the Okinawan city of line of conflict amid rising Today, a majority of the contribution to advancing
Giowan, home to a disputed China tensions. Adding to Okinawa’s fears is 50,000 U.S. troops based in these ideals,” Biden said in a
U.S. air station, and the other the growing deployment of Japan under a bilateral secu- statement.

Finland, Sweden inch closer to seeking NATO membership

(AP) — Finland’s govern- hope that Ukraine could win ing for NATO membership
ment declared a “new era” the war as Russian military after the governing Social
is underway as it inches advances appear to be falter- Democratic party met Sun-
closer to seeking NATO ing. day and backed joining the
membership, hours before trans-Atlantic alliance.
Sweden’s governing party In Finland, President Sauli
on Sunday backed a plan Niinisto and Prime Minis- The plan to join the alliance
to join the trans-Atlantic ter Sanna Marin confirmed will be discussed in Sweden’s
alliance amid Russia’s war earlier statements that their parliament on Monday, and
in Ukraine. country would seek mem- Prime Minister Magdalena
bership in NATO during a Andersson’s Cabinet will
Russia has long bristled about joint news conference at the make an announcement later
NATO moving closer to its Presidential Palace in Hel- that day.
borders, so the developments sinki. The Nordic country,
will be sure to further anger which was nonaligned be- “Our 200-year-long stand- “Russia’s war in Ukraine is Sweden has also already taken
Moscow. President Vladimir fore changing its stance on ing policy of military non- not going as Moscow had steps toward joining the alli-
Putin has already warned his NATO, shares a long border alignment has served Sweden planned,” Stoltenberg said ance, while Georgia’s bid is
Finnish counterpart on Sat- with Russia. well,” Andersson said during by video link to the NATO again being discussed despite
urday that relations would be a news conference in Stock- meeting in Berlin as he re- dire warnings from Moscow
“negatively affected.” “This is a historic day. A new holm late Sunday. “But the covers from a COVID-19 in- about the consequences if
era begins,” Niinisto said. issue at hand is whether mili- fection.” “They failed to take its neighbor becomes part of
NATO Secretary-General tary nonalignment will keep Kyiv. They are pulling back NATO.
Jens Stoltenberg said Sunday The Finnish Parliament is serving us well?” from around Kharkiv. Their
the process for Finland and expected to endorse the de- major offensive in Don- Nordic NATO member
Sweden to join could be very cision in the coming days. A “We’re now facing a funda- bas has stalled. Russia is not Norway said it strongly wel-
quick. He also didn’t expect formal membership applica- mentally changed security achieving its strategic objec- comed Finland’s decision to
Turkey to hold up the pro- tion will then be submitted environment in Europe.” tives.” seek membership. Norwe-
cess. to NATO headquarters in gian Foreign Minister An-
Brussels, most likely at some NATO’s secretary-general, “Ukraine can win this war,” niken Huitfeldt described
Speaking after top diplomats point next week. meanwhile, sought to high- he said, adding that NATO Helsinki’s move as “a turn-
from the alliance’s 30 mem- light Russian setbacks, which must continue to step up its ing point” for the Nordic
ber states met in Berlin, Stol- Sweden, also nonaligned, he said may portend a victory military support to the coun- region’s defense and security
tenberg also expressed his moved a step closer to apply- for Ukraine. try. policies.