Despite protesting the murder of a local woman and calling for revisions in the U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, local Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito officials will not take part in what may be the biggest Okinawan anti-base rally in nearly two decades.
Organizers hope the rally Sunday will draw at least 50,000 people angered by the murder of Rina Shimabukuro, 20, allegedly by Kenneth Franklin Shinzato, an American civilian worker at Kadena Air Base.
It will also denounce the construction of a replacement facility for U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma at Henoko in the prefecture.