本土復帰５２年で平和行進　「普天間基地返還を」―沖縄

　本土復帰から５２年を迎えた沖縄県で１８日、復帰を記念する「５・１５平和行進」が米軍普天間飛行場（同県宜野湾市）周辺で行われた。参加者は多くの米軍基地が残る沖縄の現状を発信するため、「普天間基地を返せ」「地位協定を見直せ」などと声を上げながら歩いた。
　市民団体などが主催し、飛行場の外周に沿って２コースに分かれ、それぞれ約７キロを行進した。主催者によると、２０００人超が参加した。
　主催した沖縄平和運動センターの木本邦広共同代表は出発式で、県内で防衛力強化が進められていることに懸念を示し、「まとまって大きな声にしていけば必ずはね返していける」と述べた。（2024/05/18-14:30）

A peace march was held in Okinawa Prefecture, southernmost Japan, on Saturday, to mark the 52nd anniversary of its return to Japan from post-World War II U.S. occupation.
   The procession was to call attention to the fact that Okinawa continues to host the bulk of U.S. bases in Japan. Divided in two courses of about 7 kilometers each, participants marched around the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air station in the city of Ginowan, calling for the return of the site for the base and a review of the Japan-U.S. status-of-forces agreement.
   According to the organizers, more than 2,000 people joined the event. Okinawa returned to Japanese administration on May 15, 1972.
   At a departing ceremony, Kunihiro Kimoto, co-head of Okinawa Peace Action Center, one of the entities that hosted the march, expressed concern that the Japanese government is working on defense buildup in Okinawa. "I believe we will be able to counter the move if we unite and raise a voice," he said.
   A 27-year-old female public worker from Tokyo said: "I was overwhelmed by the size of the (Futenma) base and felt the hardship of Okinawa people. I hope their burden will be eliminated."