|
|
Okinawa's governor ends fight against U.S. military leases
September 13, 1996
Web posted at: 1:30 p.m. EDT (1730 GMT)NAHA, Japan (CNN) -- Resolving a yearlong standoff over U.S. bases on Okinawa, the island's governor on Friday gave up his fight against forced leasing of land to the American military.
Also Friday, Japanese police began questioning two U.S. Marines suspected of assaulting and robbing a 56-year-old woman.
Governor Masahide Ota, a longtime opponent of the massive U.S. military presence on the southern island, said he would accept economic aid and other relief measures the central government in Tokyo offered to Okinawa, Japan's poorest region.
In this story: 'Difficult decision' Marines in brig In a meeting with Ota on Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto agreed that it was unfair for the crowded island to host most of the 47,000 American troops in Japan. He also promised 5 billion yen ($45 million) to study a proposal to make the island a free-trade zone and center for learning and tourism.
But the most important outcome of the meeting was Ota's agreement to sign orders to renew the leases that allow the U.S. bases to legally remain on the island.
Until now, he had sided with about 3,000 local landowners refusing to renew the leases. The central government filed several lawsuits against him, and last month Japan's Supreme Court upheld the forced leasing policy.
Hashimoto has signed the leases in Ota's place, but until Friday, Ota had refused to carry out the required step of publicly posting information about the leases at government offices.
'Difficult decision'
"It was a difficult decision for me to make because it is in a sense against the wishes of some of the owners of the land," Ota said in a nationally televised announcement from Naha, the capital of Okinawa.
"Leading politicians, including Prime Minister Hashimoto, realize the central government has not been treating Okinawa well for a long time," said Keio University Professor Haruo Shimada.
Facing a re-election bid in late October, Governor Ota can claim a victory over the central government. Meantime, Hashimoto, who may call general elections next month, has defused an issue that could have caused him a lot of trouble.
Marines in brig
The dispute over the leases flared after three U.S. servicemen beat and raped a 12-year-old Okinawan schoolgirl last year, sparking massive protests against the 30,000 American troops based on the island.
In the latest incident, Marine Cpl. Jeremy Wright of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Cpl. Brian Bergen of Connersville, Indiana, both stationed at Camp Hansen on Okinawa, allegedly attacked bar owner Toshiko Gakiya, 56, at around midnight Wednesday, Japanese and U.S. military officials said.
Japanese police, quoting Gakiya, said she saw them removing 7,000 yen ($64) from her purse as she was losing consciousness. The Marines were being held Friday in the Camp Hansen brig, according to Marine Capt. Kim Miller.
Tokyo Bureau Chief John Lewis and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Okinawan vote sends message to Hashimoto - Sept. 1996
- Okinawans want U.S. soldiers out - Sept. 8, 1996
Tell us what you think!
You said it...
© 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.