Permalink: https://media.greenpeace.org/archive/Protestor-Mr-Ahitomi-in-Okinawa-27MZIFJ677ZZD.htmlConceptually similarProtestor Mr Ahitomi in OkinawaGP0STPGK5Completed★★★★Protestor Ms Urashima in OkinawaGP0STPESPCompleted★★★★Protestor Ms Urashima in OkinawaGP0STPESQCompleted★★★★Protestor Mr Nakasone in OkinawaGP0STPESACompleted★★★★Protestor Mr Higashionna in OkinawaGP0STPES1Completed★★★★Futenma Airfield in OkinawaGP0STPES0Completed★★★★Protestor Mr Toguchi in OkinawaGP0STPES2Completed★★★★Protestor Mr Toguchi in OkinawaGP0STPES4Completed★★★★Protestor Ms Yuri in OkinawaGP0STPESOCompleted★★★★View AllGP0STPESTProtestor Mr Ahitomi in OkinawaMr. Hiroshi Ahitomi is co-leader of Anti-Helicopter Base Council. He lives in Nago City, Okinawa.Hiroshi Ashitomi, 69 years old, was a public welfare officer in the Okinawa prefectural office. He retired 9 years ago, and has been involved in the movement against US military bases on the island for 18 years. He co-leads the Anti-Helicopter Base Council, a citizen’s group, founded in 1997 Nago City after a plebiscite on the question of whether to build a new base at Henoko. The council has tree planting groups, kayak activists, a protest ships called Henoko Blue and a diving team that monitors the bases’ impact on the marine environment.Hiroshi was born in Tokyo in 1946. His father is originally from Okinawa, and moved from Tokyo to Okinawa when it was still occupied by the US military. When he was a high school student, when there was both the Vietnam War and a growing movement in Okinawa against the US occupation.Hiroshi says the Futenma Airbase was created on land where Okinawa people originally lived. The U.S. military seized land, destroyed villages, and created the airbaseHiroshi says he is not anti-American – he loves jazz and American pop music. But it is the US government’s treatment of the Okinawan people that has incensed him. His idol is a man who led the original anti-base movement on the island, known as the “Gandhi of Okinawa. Shoko Ahagon led a non-violent resistance movement of Japanese peace activists. Hiroshi wants to see Futenma Airbase removed from Okinawa, and that a new base at Henoko not be built.Locations:Asia-Henoko-Japan-Okinawa-kenDate:30 Oct, 2015Credit:© Ian Teh / GreenpeaceMaximum size:5760px X 3840pxKeywords:Activists-Day-Eye contact-KWCI (GPI)-Local population-Men-Oceans (campaign title)-One person-Outdoors-PortraitsShoot:Stories of Protest in OkinawaThe ocean home of the last few Japanese dugongs is about to be landfilled to make way for two airstrips – part of the expansion of a US military base on the island of Okinawa. But a movement nearly 18 years old is standing up to say NO.The struggle is reaching a fever pitch. The majority of Okinawa's people – from students to grandparents and the local governor – have voiced their opposition to the plans. But construction work continues. There are daily scuffles outside the base as protesters attempt to prevent bulldozers and equipment from entering the bay.Here are the stories of six courageous people who are taking action to save the dugongs and protect the rich ocean life for future generations.Related Collections:Stories of Protest in Okinawa