Tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied against U.S. military presence on the Japanese island of Okinawa on June 19, 2016.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied against U.S. military presence on the Japanese island of Okinawa on June 19, 2016.
TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The protests followed the alleged rape and murder of a young Japanese woman by a former U.S. Marine employed as a civilian base worker.
The protests followed the alleged rape and murder of a young Japanese woman by a former U.S. Marine employed as a civilian base worker.
TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Crimes committed by American personnel have angered the Okinawa population for decades. Demonstrators held placards that read "our fury has gone beyond the limit."
Crimes committed by American personnel have angered the Okinawa population for decades. Demonstrators held placards that read "our fury has gone beyond the limit."
TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Organizers claimed this was the largest demonstration in Okinawa since 1995, when three Americans raped a local 12-year-old girl.
Organizers claimed this was the largest demonstration in Okinawa since 1995, when three Americans raped a local 12-year-old girl.
TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Many of the placards read "Withdraw Marine Corps," demanding the removal of American military bases.
Many of the placards read "Withdraw Marine Corps," demanding the removal of American military bases.
TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The American military presence is part of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. American military have been present in Okinawa since the end of World War II.
The American military presence is part of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. American military have been present in Okinawa since the end of World War II.
TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Mass protest in Okinawa against U.S. military bases after murder

Story highlights

Organizers say at least 60,000 people marched on Sunday to ask Japan's government to kick out U.S. bases

Protests come after a 20-year-old woman was murdered by a civilian worker in April

CNN  — 

Tens of thousands of people have demanded an end to the United States’ military presence on the Japanese island of Okinawa following the killing of a local woman.

Kenneth Franklin Shinzato, a 32-year-old civilian worker who was stationed at the U.S. Kadena Air Base, was last month arrested on suspicion of murdering the 20 year old and abandoning her body.

In an emotional letter read out during a march on the island Sunday, the victim’s father said, for the local people’s protection, all United States military bases on Japan’s Okinawa prefecture had to go.

Activists, including some who are covered in mock shrounds, take part in a demonstration to protest against the US military presence in Okinawa, Japan, outside of Union Station in Washington, DC on May 26, 2016.
Activists, including some who are covered in mock shrounds, take part in a demonstration to protest against the US military presence in Okinawa, Japan, outside of Union Station in Washington, DC on May 26, 2016.
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“Why my daughter? Why was my daughter killed?” the letter read. “To avoid [another] victim, I want all US bases removed… I believe it’s possible if all the people of Okinawa come together.”

More than 60,000 people attended the protest in the prefecture’s capital, Naha, according to organizers.

It was organized by the All Okinawa Kaigi, a group that includes the governor of Okinawa and other local politicians and mayors.

Speaking at the protest, Governor Takeshi Onaga said he would strongly ask the Japanese government to move all United States military bases outside of Okinawa.

“The government should know that the anger of the people in Okinawa is almost reaching a limit and it is not [right] to sacrifice Okinawa people for military bases anymore,” he said.

Tensions running high

President Barack Obama speaks after a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the Group of Seven, or G7, summit meetings in Shima, Japan, on Wednesday, May 25.
President Barack Obama speaks after a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the Group of Seven, or G7, summit meetings in Shima, Japan, on Wednesday, May 25.
JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
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Related video Obama apologizes for Okinawa killing

Relations between American military personnel and local residents on Okinawa have deteriorated in recent months following several violent incidents related to American bases on the island.

In March, U.S. Navy sailor Justin Castellanos was arrested over the rape of a Japanese woman in Kyushu prefecture.

During his visit to Japan in May, President Barack Obama apologized to the Japanese people for the latest incident in Okinawa.

“I think the Japanese people should know we are deeply moved and working with the Japanese government to prosecute not only this crime but prevent these kinds of crimes from happening again.”