RENGO held its "2001 RENGO Peace Rally in Okinawa" at the Okinawan Prefectural Budokan Hall on June 22 so its union members could renew their commitment to achieve lasting worldwide peace. Approximately 1,100 attendees gathered from all over Japan to study problems regarding American military bases in Okinawa attending a lecture by Kazuhisa Ogawa, international politics/military affairs analyst, and hearing appeals by local residents. Attendees also meditated for peace at the "Okinawan War Dead Memorial Rally" which was hosted by Okinawa prefecture, and attended by Prime Minister Koizumi on the 23rd.

Photo: Deputy President Enomoto appeals, “let’s make the 21st century a peaceful one.”

2001 RENGO Peace Rally in Okinawa opened amid a flamboyant and sweeping display of an Okinawan Eisa dance performed by the Okinawa Electric Company's Eisa Club.
A forum considering whether "is it possible to reorganize/downsize American military bases?" was conducted with international politics and military affairs analyst Kazuhisa Ogawa as the keynote speaker of this year's rally. Ogawa pointed out that "our taxes maintain the U.S. Forces in Japan" and emphasized that "we need to conduct activities that appeal for and accomplish the reorganization and downsizing of U.S. bases, based on a consideration of how the U.S. feels about its bases in Okinawa." He touched upon the Status of Forces Agreement saying, "it should be modified to better accommodate Japan." In conclusion, Ogawa appealed to the audience telling them that "the reorganization and downsizing of the bases is possible. (The actual accomplishment of this) lays upon the shoulders of all citizens who are conscious of being taxpayers and above all RENGO union members should be able to display great influence."

Afterwards, Deputy President Enomoto spoke on behalf of the organizers, explaining the significance of the rally, "this rally is being held in memory of the tragedy of the Battle of Okinawa in World War II and to renew the resolution of all RENGO union members for achieving lasting peace." Regarding the U.S. military bases he stressed that "the negative influence on the lives of the Okinawan people is immeasurable. It is imperative to reorganize and downsize the bases to safeguard the lives of the Okinawans and promote the development of Okinawa prefecture." In closing, he appealed to the audience to "refresh [your] resolution to make the 21st century a peaceful one, and let us work much harder."
RENGO Okinawa President Tamaki and House of Councilors Member Teruya each spoke on the current state of Okinawa and the rally closed after adopting the following appeal. "We vow to put our all might into activities for peace, arms reduction and total abolition of nuclear weapons, and make the 21st century a peaceful century."