Sanrizuka Struggle

Sanrizuka Struggle
Part of the History of Japan
Clashes between riot police and opposition groups, 20 October 1985
Date22 June 1966 – present
Location
Caused byJapanese government disregard for consensus-building with residents of a planned airport construction site
MethodsSit-ins, demonstrations, occupations, bombings
StatusOngoing
Parties

Sanrizuka-Shibayama United Opposition League against Construction of the Narita Airport

35°45′55″N 140°23′08″E / 35.76528°N 140.38556°E / 35.76528; 140.38556 The Sanrizuka Struggle (三里塚闘争, Sanrizuka tōsō) is a series of civil conflicts and riots involving the Japanese government and the agricultural community of Sanrizuka, comprising organised opposition by farmers, local residents, and leftist groups to the construction of Narita International Airport (then New Tokyo International Airport). The struggle stemmed from the government's decision to construct the airport in Sanrizuka without the involvement or consent of most area residents.

The struggle was led by the Sanrizuka-Shibayama United Opposition League against Construction of the Narita Airport[1] (ja:三里塚芝山連合空港反対同盟, Sanrizuka-Shibayama Rengo Kūkō Hantai Dōmei), which locals formed under the leadership of opposition parties the Communist Party and Socialist Party. The struggle resulted in significant delays in the opening of the airport, as well as deaths on both sides.

At its height, the union mobilised 17,500 people for a general rally, while thousands of riot police were brought in on several occasions.

  1. ^ "三里塚芝山連合空港反対同盟". 三里塚芝山連合空港反対同盟 (in Japanese). Retrieved 9 December 2018.