Henoko, Okinawa – Despite cloudy skies and light rain, over 500 people gathered at Henoko on Saturday to protest the construction of a new military base. The protest, organized by the All-Okinawa Coalition, aimed to raise awareness about the negative impact the base could have on the surrounding area.

The protest comes after years of controversy surrounding the construction of the base, which is set to replace the existing U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Many locals and environmentalists have raised concerns about the potential damage to the marine ecosystem and harm towards local residents.

Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, the protesters were determined to make their voices heard. They held up signs and chanted slogans, calling for the central government of Japan to reconsider the construction plans. The protest also included speeches from local leaders and activists, who highlighted the importance of preserving the natural beauty of Okinawa and avoiding another war.

One of the protestors, 96-year old Fumiko Shimabukuro, stated, “We are here to show our strong opposition to the construction of the military base. We cannot let our beautiful island be destroyed for the sake of military expansion. We urge the government to listen to the voices of the people and find a more sustainable solution.” Shimabukuro is a survivor of the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, in which around one-third of the Uchinaanchu (Native Okinawan) population was killed.

The protest received widespread local media coverage and has sparked a renewed debate about the construction of the military base. The organizers hope that their efforts will bring about a change in the government’s decision and protect the natural beauty of Okinawa for future generations.