HENOKO, Okinawa Pref. -- To understand just how determined the opposition in Henoko, Okinawa, is to Tokyo's plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station here, just go to the turquoise waters off Camp Schwab.
There, you will find Henoko residents, aged 9 to 90, and protesters from other parts of Japan paddling out in canoes to confront government boats. You will also find them staging sit-ins on the beach, and even scaling government-built scaffolding in the sea, all in order to prevent seabed studies that are the first step to building a new base.
"We will never, ever allow this base to be built. Since April 2004, we have maintained a vigil here beside Camp Schwab, and we will continue to protest until the central government gives up its plans to build the base," declared the Rev. Natsume Taira, one of the leaders of the local antibase movement.