Thousands in Okinawa Protest at U.S. Base

Tens of thousands of protesters formed a chain around a major U.S. air base Thursday in a show of opposition to the American military presence here ahead of President Clinton’s visit for the Group of 8 summit.

Organizers claimed to have mobilized more than 25,000 people for the chain, which stretched 11 miles around Kadena Air Base, one of the largest U.S. military installations here.

There was no independent confirmation of the protesters’ numbers, but the demonstration appeared to be one of the largest anti-base protests in years. In several areas, the protesters stood three or four deep.

“As teachers, we have vowed never to send our students to war again,” said Isao Kaneshiro, head of a local teachers union. “I want President Clinton to know that we don’t want his troops here.”

The protest, organized by labor unions and civic groups, was peaceful, with no reports of arrests.

The protest was held as the G-8 leaders began arriving on Okinawa island for their annual summit, which starts today and runs through Sunday.

About 26,000 of the more than 40,000 U.S. troops in Japan are stationed on Okinawa, including the largest contingent of Marines outside the United States. Many Okinawans feel that the presence is too heavy and want it reduced or eliminated.

Military-related crime is also a frequent source of tension. The recent arrest of a 19-year-old Marine for allegedly breaking into a home and climbing into the bed of a sleeping schoolgirl has reignited anger among Okinawans.

“Most Okinawans welcome the summit,” said an editorial in the Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper. “But there are concerns as well. We are concerned that the bases, which cause such damage to us, will be praised by the summit leaders.”

Because of the controversy over the bases, security for the summit has been extremely tight. About 22,000 police officers, most flown in from other parts of Japan, have been deployed on Okinawa.