Reviving the Pioneering Efforts That Were Made 40 Years Ago in Removing Poisonous Gases

July 15 marks the 40th anniversary of a real attempt at removing poisonous gases from Okinawa. After the gas issue came to light in July 1969, it took until September 1971 — a total of 2 years and 2 months — to completely deal with it. The removal process was a battle in which the citizens of the prefecture — led by Governor Yara Choubyou, who came to power for the first time in the direct elections — united against the U.S. Army, who used the base as they wished without considering matters such as how dangerous it would be to the residents. Upon consideration of the current problems with the base, that event in which free use of the base was challenged will become a point of reference.

Firstly, public opinion was undivided on removing the poisonous gases from Okinawa, and with it in place, the Ryukyu administration worked carefully on safety measures that incorporated a plan to evacuate residents.

Secondly, the Okinawan representative didn’t yield one bit in his dealings with both the American and Japanese governments. For instance, the U.S. Army wouldn’t take any responsibility for the $600,000 cost for reparations and construction of an alternate road for removal.

The scene of Governor Yara approaching High Commissioner Lampert has been recorded in American records. “The poisonous gases were brought into Okinawa unbeknownst to the public and so it is not up to Okinawa to remove them. It shows a lack of sympathy on America’s part to not take even a little bit of responsibility for the costs to the locals to remove them.”

Governor Yara appealed not only to the U.S. Army, but also repeatedly to the Japanese government. At first, they avoided removal-related issues, saying “For us to intervene in top secret military affairs would be problematic” However, after a strong speech was made by the elected governor at the direct elections, in the end, they concluded that the Japanese government would pay the costs that America should have.

There are many similarities between the process that this case took and the current issue of relocating the American Futenma air base. For instance, prefecture Governor Nakaima Hirokazu took the lead, followed by many Okinawan citizens in requesting that the base be relocated outside of the prefecture, and the U.S. Army is making Japan pay for the costs of building an alternative air base. The Japanese government’s stance of continually placing the burden of the base on Okinawa hasn’t changed either.

The removal of poisonous gases from Okinawa was the first case of its kind in the world, and its disclosure gradually gave rise to debate about the prohibition of chemical weapons among the United Nations.

The Chemical Weapons Convention (1997) came into effect 26 years after the removal of the gases. Total abolition of those weapons was instituted by 2007, but America and Russia are behind and have still not stopped their manufacture.

Even though 40 years have passed since Okinawa’s efforts to remove those poisonous gases, it still remains fresh in my memory. We really need to remember the lessons that were learned then and make use of them in present times.