Japanese slander Okinawan politicians in attempt to swing election

Uchinanchu (Indigenous Okinawan) twitter user @harunayakanonry has identified fliers created and disseminated by Japanese right-wing ultranationalists slandering Uchinanchu political leaders, including Representative Tomohiro Yara and Governor Denny Tamaki. The slander includes unfounded accusations of sexual harassment and abuse of power. Neither Yara nor Tamaki has ever been accused of any type of harassment or abuse of power by a credible source. Both are strongly supported by the Okinawan people, due in part to their opposition to the U.S. military bases. 

The slander comes amid a midterm election in Okinawa. Japan has an extensive history of attempting to manipulate Okinawan elections in a pro-Japanese / U.S. direction. 

Attempts by the Japanese to spread blatant lies about Uchinanchu leaders is harassment on the part of Japan, and is a human rights violation. Uchinanchu are the Indigenous peoples of Okinawa, recognized as such by the United Nations. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples legally protects Uchinanchu from all forms of harassment, including slander. Individuals, organizations, and nations around the world must immediately act to support Okinawan / Ryukyuan rights from U.S. and Japanese abuse.