Members of All Okinawa, a political party that opposes the island's U.S. military presence, protest outside a government office in Naha, Jan. 30, 2023. (All Okinawa)
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Three groups opposed to the U.S. military presence on Okinawa plan a gathering next month to protest Osprey flights over the island and recent sexual assault charges against U.S. service members.
The event, scheduled for 4 p.m. Aug. 10, was co-organized by All Okinawa, a political party that opposes the U.S. military presence, and two civic groups fighting in the courts to eliminate aircraft noise at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and Kadena Air Base.
Organizers hope to attract 1,600 protesters, All Okinawa spokesman Yuji Fukumoto said by phone Tuesday.
The hourlong protest at Union Desukara Dome Ginowan in Ginowan city was originally organized to mark the 20th anniversary of a helicopter crash at the city’s Okinawa International University, Fukumoto said. A CH-53D Sea Stallion from nearby MCAS Futenma crashed on the campus Aug. 13, 2004, resulting in no casualties but damaging the college’s administration building.
More recent events have shifted the event’s focus.
“The main focus of the protest will be the Ospreys and MCAS Futenma,” Fukumoto said. “Additionally, following recent indictments, the protest will also address crimes committed by U.S. service members.”
The U.S. military grounded its fleet of about 400 Ospreys Dec. 6 through March 8 as it investigated the Nov. 29 crash of an Air Force Osprey from Yokota Air Base off the southern coast of Japan that killed eight service members.
Two Osprey squadrons at MCAS Futenma resumed flights on March 14.
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki in March filed protests with Japan’s prime minister, chief cabinet secretary, foreign affairs minister and defense minister against the resumption of tiltrotor flights in Japan, requesting “the relocation of the Ospreys outside the prefecture.”
Japanese media reported Tuesday that Tamaki plans to attend next month’s protest, but he has not confirmed his plans with the event organizers, Fukumoto said.
In June, Japanese media reported that prosecutors in Naha city indicted Senior Airman Brennon R.E. Washington in March on charges of kidnapping and sexual assault of a minor and in June indicted Marine Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton of attempted sexual assault.
Washington at his first court appearance on July 12 said he is not guilty of kidnapping and sexual assault of a minor.
Tamaki on July 3 visited Cabinet officials in Tokyo to register “strong resentment” over the criminal cases. Members of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly on July 19 delivered formal protests to the U.S. Embassy and Japanese government.
Following official complaints, the Marine Corps imposed sobriety checks at its base gates in Japan and patrols of off-base hotspots on Okinawa.
U.S. Forces Japan commander Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp in a statement posted online Monday announced a “new forum of cooperation” with the Japanese and Okinawan governments and community members to address alleged misconduct.
Further changes to the off-duty liberty policy for all service members in Japan are in the works, according to Rupp and an earlier statement from U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are scheduled to arrive this weekend in Tokyo for the 2024 U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee, or “2+2,” meeting.
Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Yoko Kamikawa said Tuesday she plans to bring up those indictments when she and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara meet Sunday with their U.S. counterparts.
“I think that the most important thing is that the measures announced by the U.S. side are steadily implemented, and lead to preventing recurrences,” Kamikawa said at a news conference. “At the bilateral ‘2+2’ meeting that is planned at the end of this month, we will ask the U.S. side to ensure the steady implementation.”
