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© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.No July 4 fireworks at U.S. bases in Japan after Okinawa murder
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Yubaru
Going to be a lot of disappointed folks on BOTH sides of the fence because of this. There used to be a time in the not so distance past that mainland travel agencies set up tours just for the fireworks and base festivities that were once open to the public.
Okinawans, mainlanders, tourists, and the American's together had a great time. (Never seen in the press though)
Sad it has come to this.
some14some
Fireworks fans may have to wait for 2017 year of the Fire Rooster (!)
Wc626
Very true. The US embassy throws nice 4th July bashes. Oh well @least they didn't ban a few cold beers and grilling meat all afternoon, which accounts for 2/3 of any decently celebrated 4th imo.
bones
They never seem to miss an opportunity to mention the 1995 rape,I mean it was bad but for the sake of the victim who I am sure is reminded of it everyday. Can we focus on the present .
USNinJapan2
Pretty drastic and unrelated measure in my opinion. An undeniable sign that USFJ feels that his head is on the chopping block.
Alphaape
I don't see why they cancelled the on-base concerts, since you don't have to open the base to the public for those events, and what's the difference between having a concert for a big named star (R&B singer Joe was coming to the Kanto area), for on base/SOFA personnel only than securing everyone's liberty and curtailing where they can go after work and when they can drink. No real difference since by banning the people to the bases you dip into the local economies and they are trying to have events on base to keep the idle minds and hands happy.
Bad policy decision in my opinion.
iamme
I understand toning down the celebrations on Okinawa, as is most appropriate. Not too much for cancelling all events on other bases.
toshiko
In USA, many places Hulu cannot use tral fireworks. Some shopping centers display big fireworks in sky but they are not forI have no idea but I guess similar system we seedier day and night in 24 hour city in our area. Simulated fire noise accompany when simulated fire on sky become largest cicle.
Yubaru
They are turning Japanese.......group mentality thing.
DocCarlos
Thats OK as the USA will move the Fireworks shows and concerts to Celebrate the Nuking of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as that is where Peace was started and the pacification of a war mongering imperialistic tribe.
Whatsnext
Lame. Collectively punished.
nath
This might potentially be to create some dissent among the Japanese as well. Many Japanese people enjoy visiting the bases for the July 4th celebrations. Now they are also being denied their enjoyment. For supporters of the base, this could be frustrating, and cause them to tell the people complaining about the bases to chill out a little.
toshiko
In summer, Japanese children used to enjoy small handheld fire works. Too bad it was cancelled in Japan Americans are very sensitive. It is a good chance for students to learn about history.
Gene Warfield
The decision not to do this in Okinawa was made out of respect for the 49 day mourning period for the victim of the recent murder, which falls sometime after the 4th of July.
bones
Well the curfew will be lifted on Monday!
toshiko
Maybe US military officials are trying to avoid Okinawans people may decide to become independent from US; military?
ThePBot
It'd be in bad taste if they made such celebrations after a tragic crime. They'll look worse if they did.
bjohnson23
That's a bummer as many Japanese were looking to the festivities including Okinawans. I sure didn't see any mourning by Okinawans the other night as they were drunk all over the streets coming out of bars...Didn't seem to stop any one but punish those who do good.
ThePBot
And what "good" are they actually doing? Okinawans aren't feeling safer, that's for sure.
sir_bentley28
I'm afraid to post anything or comment on anything because the moderators ALWAYS remove my posts which have no hate speech, curse words, anger, anything that could potentially start an online debate/argument. I think they are too sensitive. It appears that freedom of speech does not apply here.
nath
Of course it doesn't. Freedom of speech is the right to not be prosecuted for things you have said. How can Japan Today prosecute you, or choose not to?