The following is from today's Sankei Shimbun, a regular column by Rui Abiru, one of the best reporters working today.
All decent Japanese who read this article should feel repulsed by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP).
Not only that, but from the bottom of their hearts, they should issue a strong declaration of resignation to them.
Emphasis in the text except for the headline is mine.
Okinawa's Independence: CDP Favor China
This May marks the 50th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa Prefecture to mainland Japan, which was under U.S. control after the war.
In May, Okinawa Prefecture will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its reversion to the mainland.
Tomohiro Yara, a former member of the House of Representatives of the Rikei Democratic Party who ran unsuccessfully for the 3rd district in Okinawa in last year's House of Representatives election, posted a message on his Facebook page in April 4 in the form of a conversation with a friend.
"We laughed and agreed at the end: 'It would be so refreshing to be independent."
Mr. Yara also wrote, "There are many countries in the world that are smaller than Okinawa but are still independent.
Referring to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics on the same day, he wrote: "Shodoshima (Kagawa Prefecture) is the largest island in Japan.
He also wrote, "Representatives from a small country the size of Shodoshima (Kagawa Prefecture) are splendidly marching into the venue. I sometimes wonder if such a dream is not so bad."
Lack of a sense of fellowship
Mr. Yara also said that it is only a "dream" at this point.
However, if that were to become a reality, at least the Senkaku Islands (Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture) would be occupied by China in no time at all.
If independence is combined with the withdrawal of U.S. troops, the main island of Okinawa will also be occupied by China shortly.
When that happens, who will be happy?
There was another incident regarding the theory of Okinawan independence during the cabinet of Naoto Kan of the Democratic Party of Japan, the predecessor of the Constitutional Democratic Party.
In his book "Okinawa's Self-Decision Right" by the Democratic Party of Japan's House of Councilors Shoukichi Kina, Mr. Kan, who was the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Strategy of the Cabinet of Yukio Hatoyama, gave Mr. Kina his own theory of Okinawa independence immediately after the change of government. It revealed that he was talking with Kan.
When Kina said, "Take care of the Okinawa problem," Kan let out his true feelings: "The Okinawa problem is too heavy to handle. The base issue is out of control. I don't want to play any more games. I think Okinawa should be independent."
It is a highly irresponsible comment for a politician at the center of the administration, but Kina introduced the episode in a rather welcoming context.
When our reporter asked Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihito Sengoku at a press conference, Sengoku fudged the question.
"Hearsay evidence that cannot be verified (such as Kina's book) has no evidentiary value under the Criminal Procedure Law."
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) members elected to Okinawa had little sense of belonging to the Japanese nation.
It was disconcerting to think that the central administration did not feel a sense of fellowship with Okinawans.
It seems to be the case with Mr. Yara's article.
I remember reading an article in a local newspaper when I was in Okinawa in 1997, the 25th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to mainland Japan.
The article was about how the prefectural residents welcomed a delegation of Socialist Party lawmakers from the mainland during the U.S. occupation and were shocked to hear the lawmakers say, "Your Japanese is perfect."
Pointing Out Support for the Movement
Last October, Mina Mitsui, a reporter from the Paris bureau of this newspaper, reported on a report compiled by the Institute for Strategic Studies of the French Military Academy (IRSEM) on China's strategy to expand its influence in the world.
The report pointed out that the residents of Okinawa have lingering mixed feelings about the Japanese government and strong opposition to the U.S. military bases, making it an accessible environment for China to exploit.
The report listed moves such as China inviting pro-independence groups, encouraging academic exchanges, and Chinese people investing in real estate near U.S. bases.
She also pointed out that China, like the pro-independence movement, supports the campaign against revising Article 9 of the Constitution and the protest movement against the U.S. military bases.
Isn't the stance of CDP taking advantage of China and deepening the division of the nation?
(Editorial Writer and Political Editor)
