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A10 WORLD NEWS
Thursday 1 November 2018

Okinawa’s new leader speaks about U.S. military bases in Japan

By MARI YAMAGUCHI and It is the issue not only for my is thriving, it’s certainly
YURI KAGEYAMA Okinawa but for all of Ja- possible to create condi-
Associated Press pan to think about. We tions that allow for peace.
TOKYO (AP) — Denny Ta- want a world of harmony So we are not choosing
maki, the newly elected not of war, and that’s part between economy and
governor of Okinawa, is of the Okinawan identity. peace but we want both.
the first person with an Okinawa’s call for peace is I have always said, in this
American parent to lead based on our own sacrifice new age for Okinawa, we
the southern Japanese is- and I believe that would be stand for autonomy, co-
land, campaigning on a a very strong message. existence, diversity and ac-
longtime popular demand We always have to ask our- ceptance. Okinawa is go-
to reduce the U.S. military selves a question if Japan ing to firmly push for these
presence there. cannot defend itself with- eternal values of democra-
Tamaki is planning to visit out being armed so much. cy. A democratic country
the U.S. to talk to people We have to keep asking if like the U.S. will surely listen
and try to gain their under- we can’t defend Japan to such an appeal, espe-
standing about what he without it, if we really need cially if I, someone who has
sees as Okinawa’s shoul- Governor of Okinawa, Denny Tamaki, speaks during a interview it. No U.S. troop on Okinawa an American father, am
dering an unfair burden of with the Associated Press in Tokyo, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. means there is a peaceful the one going there to ex-
hosting U.S. troops. At the Associated Press environment. press that.
center of contention is relo- questions, the answer was of the people reflected by ___ ___
cating a U.S. air base from that we just don’t need my election victory to the Q: Where do you want to Q: What is Okinawa’s geo-
densely populated Futen- any more bases, and that American government. take Okinawa’s future? political significance and its
ma to less-crowded Heno- answer was reflected in the ___ A: Up to now, a black-or- role?
ko on the east coast. Early election results this time. Q: What is your view on white dichotomy of peace A: Looking at Okinawa’s
construction has begun at The people of Okinawa Okinawa’s history and how or economic development geopolitical position in Asia,
Henoko, but it’s far from have opposed this new that fits in with peace and has been presented in Oki- Okinawa is in a position to
finished. The U.S. and Ja- base for more than two de- the base problem? nawa elections. Peace take initiative in promot-
pan’s central government cades and so there is a ba- A: There are things that we means the bases will be ing friendship and peace
support the relocation, and sic mistake in Henoko. Okinawans must speak up gone soon, and people will among countries in North-
government ministries have They say Henoko is the only because we feel strongly at last realize their dream east Asia and Southeast
rejected Okinawa’s legal one, Henoko is the only about peace because of of getting out of the post- Asia. We can perhaps host
maneuvers to block the solution. But we think that Okinawa’s history and that war situation. Choosing a peace-building confer-
construction. it is definitely not the case is connected to the very the economy means the ence. I would like to take up
Tamaki, 59, spoke with and that they’re refusing to core of our hearts. In the bases will stay but because the role to promote peace,
The Associated Press on think critically. The Ameri- Battle of Okinawa, more of that, people will get aid economic and people ex-
Wednesday. Questions and can side has made multiple than 100,000 civilians were money, and that will be changes in the region. How
responses have been ed- proposals under reorgani- killed. Harsh battles were given to the people. It has about holding a U.S.-China
ited for clarity and length. zation plans and the Japa- fought and sacrifices were always been about that ex- summit on Okinawa? ...
___ nese government should made. The tragedy should clusive choice in elections. Overall, this year there was
Q: What is at the root of the consider them. The Japa- never be repeated and But what I said was that the summit of the Koreas in
problem in Okinawa with nese government should we are committed to our both are important. Aren’t April and the U.S.-North Ko-
the U.S. military bases? be relaying ways to put responsibility to promote a both peace and economy rea summit in June. I think
A: How long is it going to be Okinawa at ease and to peaceful environment for important? Without peace, at least we should cherish
Okinawa? How much lon- promote peace in Japan our children and grandchil- there is no economic devel- the ongoing momentum
ger? When you ask these along with the message dren. opment. And if the econo- toward peace.q

4 dead, 19 missing in landslide-hit buildings in Philippines

By JIM GOMEZ the frantic search. Smaller came rolling down from
Associated Press landslides on roads leading the mountain. The build-
MANILA, Philippines (AP) to Natonin have slowed the ings got demolished and
— Rescuers pulled out four advance of more rescuers entombed. They’re gone,”
bodies and four survivors but and earth-moving equip- government engineer Ju-
at least 19 others remained ment, Nana said. Disaster nel Emengga told The Asso-
missing Wednesday after a response officials said at ciated Press by phone from
massive typhoon-triggered least 19 people remained the site of the landslide.
landslide crashed down on trapped in the landslide, Rescuers used shovels and
two government buildings which occurred as Ty- their hands to search for
in the northern Philippines, phoon Yutu pummeled the survivors in the avalanche
officials said. region Tuesday. A rescuer because earth-moving
Regional police Chief Su- en route to Natonin died in equipment could not pass
perintendent Rolando still- unclear circumstances. through the blocked roads,
Nana said rescue efforts About 14 villagers were in- he said. The landslide bur-
by more than 100 police, jured in the landslide. ied a building that was
firefighters and volunteers At least 11 people have being constructed and an
In this image provided by the Department of Public Works were halted at nightfall in died in the northern Phil- older one that was being
and Highways, Mountain Province District Engineering Office, remote Natonin in Moun- ippines because of the expanded for the Depart-
rescuers dig through the earth to search for survivors after a tain province and would typhoon, mostly due to ment of Public Works and
massive landslide in Natonin township, Mountain Province in
northern Philippines Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. resume at daybreak. Rain landslides. “It’s a massive Highway. Five nearby hous-
Associated Press and mud have hampered landslide and boulders also es were also hit, he said.q