University revokes action to expel 6 students over anti-U.S. rally

Aug 17 2007
06:03 AM US/Eastern

NAHA, Japan, Aug. 17 (AP) - (Kyodo)—A Japanese university in Okinawa Prefecture on Friday revoked -- after 51 years -- its action to expel six students and suspend another for engaging in an anti-U.S. rally in Japan's southernmost island group when it was under U.S. control.

The University of the Ryukyus said in rescinding its decision, "It was an action taken after an adamant request by the U.S. Civil Administration," which was ruling the islands collectively known as the Ryukyus.

On Aug. 17, 1956, the university issued an order to expel six male students and to suspend one female student, saying they were involved in anti-U.S. actions including shouting "Yankees, go home!" in a protest against the U.S. government's policy on use of land for military purposes. One of the male students died in December 2004.

Isamu Kogachi, 75, and two of the six penalized students were handed letters on Friday that said the expulsion action "is annulled" from Teruo Iwamasa, president of the university.

At a news conference, Kogachi said, "While I'm filled with a sense of gratitude, I'm also compelled to think why it could not have been done much earlier."