Ishiba Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan: 

I am strongly committed to realizing a visible reduction of Okinawa’s burden caused by the concentration of US military bases. 

As Okinawa marks 80 years since the end of World War II combat on June 23, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru attended the Okinawa Memorial Day ceremony and emphasized his commitment to reducing the burden of US military bases on the island. 

Okinawa accounts for just 0.6% of Japan’s land area but hosts roughly 70% of all land used exclusively by US military forces in the country—an imbalance that has long been a source of local frustration.  

Ishiba also reaffirmed Japan’s pledge for peace. 

Following the ceremony, the Prime Minister laid flowers at the Himeyuri Cenotaph, which honors the female students and teachers who perished in the Battle of Okinawa, and toured the Himeyuri Peace Museum.  

Later, speaking to the press, Ishiba expressed his desire to further review the US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, saying: “We must deepen the discussion not only within the Liberal Democratic Party but across the entire political spectrum.”