Okinawa lawmakers hope fundraising for fire-hit castle spreads to U.S.

If the fund-raising effort stipulates, and abides by, a strict policy that the funds go only to the rebuilding of the castle, I can see no problem.

No one, and I mean no one, wants to see a repeat of what happened after the 2011 earthquake where funds given for that disaster went places they shouldn't!

This statement in the article is no longer true: "Okinawa hosts the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan." Perhaps in the past as a few years ago but with the drawdown, not today. Japan mainland has more of its share now.

This statement is also not true: "Many residents have been against the construction of a new base in the island prefecture as a replacement facility for the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, also in Okinawa. There is no new base but expanding an existing base on already approved and allocated land use. This was granted years and years ago but the US never had use for it until the closing of Futenma or other bases turned back over.

NO base = No US funds. Until the Okinawans learn to step up and stop the anti-base don't count on US support. With the above article statements why should any US citizen contribute to this non US ruin. Show us that Okinawans are really sincere and post positive articles that clearly outweigh the anti sentiments then perhaps it is worthy of full support.

NO base = No US funds. Until the Okinawans learn to step up and stop the anti-base don't count on US support. With the above article statements why should any US citizen contribute to this non US ruin.

Just wow. Did you say the same about Americans contributing to rebuilding Notre Dame? "NO money for that non-US church until we have troops stationed on the Champs-Élysées!"

It's this kind of attitude that makes the US so popular around the world.

Here is an example where the Japanese need to be a bit more imaginative ...

Basic stuff... for example.... Equivalent Tax deductions for contributions would be a good start.

Trendy stuff, become a Friend of the Castle, and obtain discounts, etc.

Come on... listen to the younger generation for ideas if they are interested in rebuilding this monument.

Was this monument insured?

Okinawa hosts the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan. Many residents have been against the construction of a new base in the island prefecture as a replacement facility for the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, also in Okinawa.

And what does this have to do with seeking funds for the Shuri Castle rebuild? Right....hoping to play on the sympathies of people in the US, make them feel like "Oh...how sorry for them"

Get out of here! We dont want your condescending attitudes here, we would appreciate your assistance in helping to fund the rebuild! Not because of the bases, but because of the cultural and historical significance that Shuri castle was and is!

Okinawa living in America, have probably ditch all cultures ties, with Japan

That and Notre Dame on insurance. Good question. Likely the insurance is trying to weasel out of fire coverage.

Where's the donation site?

The castle was a symbol of Chinese influence, let it go into history.

Their primary mission was to appeal to stop the construction of the new Marine base at Henoko. They didn't go to the U.S. for fund-raising purposes for the reconstruction of the burned-down castle per se. One must take that in mind when he reads this article. The title is very misleading.

Just wow. Did you say the same about Americans contributing to rebuilding Notre Dame? "NO money for that non-US church until we have troops stationed on the Champs-Élysées!"

False equivalency.

Their primary mission was to appeal to stop the construction of the new Marine base at Henoko. They didn't go to the U.S. for fund-raising purposes for the reconstruction of the burned-down castle per se. One must take that in mind when he reads this article. The title is very misleading.

No the part about the base is misleading and an attempt to play on people's sympathies for donations for Shuri!

The goal is money for Shuri castle, the only person being mislead here is the person who wrote the comment I quoted!

False equivalency.

I am glad that you are reading more, but just pulling a term out of a debate book and dropping it in a debate isn't the same as an actual argument. That's pretty much the equivalent of saying "you're wrong." That doesn't score debate points. You need an argument mate.

rgcivilian1 is factually incorrect. Okinawa does host 70% of the US military personnel in Japan and controls more land than in mainland Japan.

The footprint of the US on Okinawa is always on the minds of the people of Okinawa. I can appreciate why they include it in any discussion about Okinawa.

I fail to see how any rational person cannot see the uneven burden they bear.

This statement in the article is no longer true: "Okinawa hosts the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan." Perhaps in the past as a few years ago but with the drawdown, not today. Japan mainland has more of its share now.

This is actually true! PeterNeil's "facts" are incorrect.

Okinawa does host 70% of the US military personnel in Japan and controls more land than in mainland Japan.

Factually you are incorrect! Recently as of 2006 the bases used 74.7 percent of the land yet that has dropped nearly 15%, and will further drop as well!

Okinawa makes up only 0.6 percent of the nation's land area;] yet, approximately 62% of United States bases in Japan (exclusive use only) are in Okinawa.

And this will drop to under 50% when Futenma is closed along with Camp Kinser and Naha Military Port

The footprint of the US on Okinawa is always on the minds of the people of Okinawa. I can appreciate why they include it in any discussion about Okinawa.

On the minds of SOME of the people of Okinawa, the overwhelming majority are apathetic to the issue, and contrary to the comments of a couple posters here, it is really only an issue when the military "does something" to rile up the "anti" base folks.

Shuri Castle has NOTHING to do with any of this! In fact many, if not most of all the military here in Okinawa have visited the castle and are WELCOMED with open arms as guests!

Playing on the sympathies and ignorance of the realities here is not the way to go!

I fail to see how any rational person cannot see the uneven burden they bear.

I fail to see how any "rational" person would use outdated and incorrect information, also passing along information that is third-party at best, and loaded with false misconceptions, as being "fact"!

If you "fail to see" then maybe you need to get a better pair of glasses!