Nago Mayor Inamine, one year after the election: "The government must accept the all-Okinawa 'NO' to the new base." 名護・稲嶺市長一年を振り返る：「オール沖縄で基地は駄目。政府は受け止めるべき」



Inamine Susumu, Nago Mayor

 A year has passed since Inamine Susumu won the Nago mayoral election of January 24, 2010, on the platform that he would not allow a new US military base to be built either on land or on the sea. A year later, he is firm and committed on his principle of creating a thriving community not dependent on subsidies in exchange for hosting bases. Here is a summary of Rykyu Shimpo's interview with Mayor Inamine, on January 20, 2011.

- How would you reflect the past year?

I won the election on the pledge that I would neither allow a new base on land nor on the sea. After the election, I repeatedly demanded the government to accept the result of this election. The Prime Minister and other ministers heard me, but they would not change their position, and reached the US-Japan joint statement on May 28 (one that confirm the two governments' intention to build a base in Henoko). Futenma issue is a big political challenge, and the situation now (under the DPJ government) is even worse than that of LDP/Komeito. In the last gubernatorial election, even Governor Nakaima, who had previously supported the Henoko base plan, changed his position and put forward an election agenda "to review the US-Japan agreement and to relocate MCAS Futenma to outside of Okinawa." This is the reality of Okinawa.

- What is your thought on the government's response?

The government's actions and words make me believe they are just trying to make US happy. The Japanese government should demand US for reduction of Okinawa's base burden instead of trying to convince Okinawa. I have stated that I will resolve the Futenma issue, but the situation has not changed unfortunately. I will keep fighting, gathering support from across Okinawa to keep my promise with people of Nago.

- The "Realignment Subsidy" (one given to base-hosting communities as base construction proceeds) was frozen by the government.

The "carrot and stick" nature ("carrot" as subsidies, and "stick" as base-hosting burden) of the government's policy has come to surface. I want to seek alternatives, with the help of Nago city staff members. This is a big challenge for the new year.

- Can you gain Nago citizens' support by "eonomic development plans" (subsidy programs)　?

The mayoral election (a year ago) was the result of Nago citizens' assessment of the last ten years of the development policies. We won't make the same mistake again. People of Nago hardly benefited from the "carrot" (subsidy income). We will no longer be lured into accepting a new base by the idea of further subsidy.

- How would you work with the Governor?

Governer (Nakaima) pledged for the Futenma base to move outside of prefecture. I would like to work with him wherever I can. (Regarding Nakaima's plan to visit US) If the Governor wants us (other municipal leaders) to go with him, it may be more effective. We have to work out details.

- What is your message to the government?

The voice of Okinawans is clear. Since the Nago election last January, most of the subsequent elections  were won by candidates who opposed a new base in Okinawa. It is an all-Okinawa "NO." The government must accept this.


For more information on the current situation and the history of base opposition and political situations in Nago, see following articles.

Urashima Etsuko and Gavan McCormack
Electing a Town Mayor in Okinawa: Report from the Nago Trenches

Gavan McCormack, Sato Manabu and Urashima Etsuko
The Nago Mayoral Election and Okinawa’s Search for a Way Beyond Bases and Dependence

(written after the Nago election in January 2006)

Miyagi Yasuhiro
Okinawa and the Paradox of Public Opinion: Base Politics and Protest in Nago City, 1997-2007

Norimatsu Satoko
History of "Futenma Replacement Facility" Plans

Kikuno Yumko
Henoko, Okinawa: Inside the Sit-In

琉球新報より。
http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-172548-storytopic-53.html


辺野古反対を貫く　稲嶺進名護市長当選から１年2011年1月20日

普天間移設問題で揺れた１年を振り返り、２年目に向けた展望を語る稲嶺市長＝１８日、名護市役所

　【名護】米軍普天間飛行場の名護市辺野古への移設に反対し、基地に頼らないまちづくりを掲げる稲嶺進名護市長は、２４日で当選から１年を迎える。１年目の総括と、２年目に向けた取り組みについて聞いた。

　　　　◇　　　　◇

　―１年を振り返って。

　「私は辺野古の海にも陸にも新しい基地は造らせないと約束して当選した。当選後、政府に対し『市長選の結果を受け止めてほしい』と要請行動した。首相、大臣も話を受けてくれたが、方針は変わらず、５月２８日の共同声明発表にはっきり表れた。普天間問題は大きな政治課題だが、自公政権の時以上に悪くなった。県知事選では容認派と公言してきた（仲井真弘多）知事も『日米合意見直し、県外移設を求める』と掲げた。これが沖縄の本当の姿だ」

　―政府の対応をどう思うか。

　「政府はアメリカのご機嫌伺いと思わざるを得ない行動と発言を繰り返している。沖縄を説得するのではなく、アメリカに向かって沖縄の負担軽減を言うべき。私は普天間問題は決着をつけると言ってきたが、状況は変わらず非常に残念。今後きっちりと主張し、市民との約束を県民の力を結集して立ち向かっていく」

　―再編交付金が凍結された。

　「アメとムチというものが現実に表れてきた。職員にも知恵を出してもらい、新しいメニューを探す。新年度の大きな課題だ」

　―振興策で名護市民の理解は得られるか。

　「これまで１０年以上の経過を、市民が自ら評価し市長選の結果になった。また同じ轍（てつ）を踏むことはないと思う。アメは一般市民の生活にほとんど還元されなかった。（振興策を）あげれば移設を認めるということはもうないだろう」

　―知事との協力について。

　「県知事も県民に対し（県外移設を）公約し、一緒にできることは一緒に行動したい。（訪米について）知事がほかの皆さんも一緒に（と話があれば）、県内の首長何人か一緒に行った方が心強いのではないか。具体的なことを考えていかないといけない」

　―政府に言いたいことは。

　「県民の意思ははっきりしている。市長選以降主な選挙で県外を打ち出した候補が当選した。オール沖縄で駄目ということ。しっかり受け止めてほしい」