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A6 WORLD NEWS
Monday 16 May 2022
Okinawa marks 50 years of end to U.S. rule amid protests

By MARI YAMAGUCHI outer islands, including Ish-
Associated Press igaki, Miyako and Yona-
TOKYO (AP) — Okinawa guni, which are close to
Governor Denny Tamaki geopolitical hotspots like
on Sunday urged Japan’s Taiwan. Okinawa was the
central government to do site of one of the bloodi-
more to reduce the U.S. est battles of World War II,
military presence in the which killed about 200,000
southern island group as it people, nearly half of them
marked the 50th anniver- Okinawan residents.
sary of its return to Japan Okinawa was sacrificed by
after 27 years of American Japan’s imperial army to
rule, amid frustration and defend the mainland, and
bitterness over a lack of many Okinawans are skep-
support from the mainland. tical that the Japanese mili-
Tamaki said Okinawa has tary would protect them in
come a long way since the future conflicts, experts say.
devastation of World War II The U.S. military kept its
and nearly three decades troop presence on the is-
of U.S. rule, which ended land group for 20 years
when it reverted to Japan longer than most of Japan,
on May 15, 1972. But the tiny until 1972, due to Okina-
island group’s yearslong wa’s strategic importance
demand for the mainland for Pacific security to deter
to share its security burden Protesters march, opposing to the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of its return to Japan Russia and communism.
remains unresolved. after 27 years of American rule on May 15, 1972, in Ginowan, Okinawa, Sunday, May 15, 2022. Many Okinawans had
“I call on the central gov- Associated Press hoped that the islands’
ernment to share with the over Okinawa’s history and grow that Okinawa may ton to balance the security return to Japan would im-
entire nation the signifi- ongoing suffering. become a front line of con- burden between mainland prove the economy and
cance of Okinawa’s rever- Prime Minister Fumio Kishida flict amid rising China ten- Japan and the southern is- human rights situation as
sion and the importance said he takes Okinawa’s sions. land group. well as base burdens.
of permanent peace that concerns seriously and will More protests were held Because of the US. bases, Today, a majority of the
Okinawans have long make efforts to reduce the Sunday on Okinawa, in- Okinawa faces burdens 50,000 U.S. troops based in
craved for,” Tamaki said. burden while still maintain- cluding one in the pre- including noise, pollution, Japan under a bilateral se-
Ceremonies marking the ing U.S. military deterrence fectural capital of Naha, accidents and crime re- curity pact and 70% of mili-
anniversary were held simul- on the islands. where nearly 1,000 people lated to American troops, tary facilities are still in Oki-
taneously in two locations Kishida and his minister in renewed their demands for Okinawan officials and resi- nawa, which accounts for
— one in the Okinawan city charge of the islands were peace. dents say. only 0.6% of Japanese land.
of Giowan, home to a dis- in Okinawa, where hun- Resentment and frustration Adding to Okinawa’s fears The burden has increased
puted U.S. air station, and dreds of protesters staged run deep in Okinawa over is the growing deploy- from less than 60% in 1972
the other in Tokyo. The sep- a rally Saturday demand- the heavy U.S. presence ment of Japanese missile because unwelcomed U.S.
arate ceremonies symbol- ing a speedier reduction of and Tokyo’s lack of effort defense and amphibious bases were moved from
ize the deep divide in views U.S. military forces, as fears to negotiate with Washing- capabilities on Okinawa’s the mainland.q

India open to exporting wheat to needy

nations despite ban

port nearly 4.3 million tons and Russia accounted for lapse in supply or a sudden
of wheat until July. India a third of global wheat shooting of demand,” Sub-
exported 1 million tons of and barley exports. Since rahmanyam said.
wheat in April. Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion, Even though it is the world’s
India mainly exports wheat Ukraine’s ports have been second-largest producer
to neighboring countries blocked and civilian infra- of wheat, India consumes
like Bangladesh, Nepal and structure and grain silos most of the wheat it pro-
Sri Lanka. have been destroyed. duces. It had set a goal of
A notice in the government At the same time, India’s exporting 10 million tons of
gazette by the Directorate own wheat harvest has suf- the grain in 2022-23, looking
An Indian farmer carries wheat crop harvested from a field on of Foreign Trade on Friday fered from a record-shat- to capitalize on the global
the outskirts of Jammu, India, April 28, 2022. said a spike in global prices tering heat wave that is disruptions to wheat sup-
Associated Press for wheat was threatening stunting production. plies from the war and find
the food security of India He said India’s wheat pro- new markets for its wheat in
and neighboring and vul- duction this year has come Europe, Africa and Asia.
By ASHOK SHARMA tions announced two days nerable countries. down by three million tons Up to 90 million tons of
Associated Press earlier. A key aim of restrictions on from 106 million tons last wheat were consumed in
NEW DELHI (AP) — India India’s Commerce Secre- exports is to control rising year. Wheat prices have India last year out of a to-
on Sunday said it would tary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam domestic prices. Global shot up by 20-40% in India. tal production of 109 million
keep a window open to ex- told reporters the govern- wheat prices have risen by “The current rise in prices tons, Subrahmanyam said,
port wheat to food-deficit ment will also allow private more than 40% since the seems to be a panic reac- adding that India exported
countries at the govern- companies to meet previ- beginning of the year. tion rather than a reaction 7 million tons of wheat last
ment level despite restric- ous commitments to ex- Before the war, Ukraine based on a genuine col- year.q