U.S. Marines parachute into undesignated area during training

The parachute training at the Kadena base prompted Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono to express strong concern. "It is a very regrettable development that could affect the Japan-U.S. alliance," he told reporters in Tokyo.

Kono is whining about American troops training to protect Japan in time of war?

Ridiculous...!

In 1965, a girl died after being trapped by a trailer dropped in a parachute training at the village of Yomitan. At that time, Okinawa was under U.S. rule following Japan's surrender in World War II. Okinawa was returned to Japanese administration in 1972.

Digging rather deep into the barrel to find something to connect to this issue today! Shame on you for trying to add flames to the fire! THIS is ancient history, relatively speaking!

Parachute training is not an exact science and I highly doubt that these Marines "purposely" landed outside the designated landing zone.

Fortunately no one was hurt, but there is going to be noise about the issue for the next few weeks because of it.

Time to put in the ear plugs again!

Although there were no reports of injuries or property damage from the latest training, it is likely to spark outcry in Okinawa due to past incidents.

No thanks to the part the media plays here about them!

Oh, and I wonder how the thousands of JAPANESE who went on base last weekend, and drank beer and ate pizza thought about how much they HATE the military here!

According to the village of Ie, two Marines landed in a field about 100 meters away from the designated airport facility at around 1:45 p.m.

100 meters...

Folks, that's 300 feet. Oh god, the horror.

How is this news. I guess it's been too long since the military made a mistake so Okinawans are reaching for anything.

No wonder they're jumping into Kadena if being off by 300 feet is such a tragedy.

I second the emotions of the above posters. Not only were they digging deep find a connection, but they're really just nitpicking the hell out of everything to inflame emotions

Taro Kono does realize the US is an ally and not an enemy, doesn’t he?

training to protect Japan in time of war?

No. They are training to protect the interests of the U.S. robber barons. They are more likely to bring the war and then withdraw than protect Japan from anything.

the US is an ally and not an enemy

The US government and military are not the true friend of anyone. To call Japan a colony is fair if you bother to analyze reality. A vassal state might be more accurate but its not a common use term..

Folks, that's 300 feet. Oh god, the horror.

Yet, its thousands of miles away from where they SHOULD have landed....which would be U.S. soil.

They are more likely to bring the war and then withdraw than protect Japan from anything.

Right. That's why we spend billions of dollars to keep forces there. To abandon them. I never understand this logic.

No. They are training to protect the interests of the U.S. robber barons. They are more likely to bring the war and then withdraw than protect Japan from anything.

The term "robber barons" is from the 19th century. We live in the 21st century and the purpose of the US military here has many facets to it, get with the times here NOW.

This incident is minor at best. But no thanks to people like you and others, it will be blown out of proportion and just get people even more sick and tired of hearing you and others regurgitate the same worn out and out of date arguments that no longer hold any water today!

Taro Kono does realize the US is an ally and not an enemy, doesn’t he?

To be fair, the US does it’s best to make it difficult to remember that it’s supposed to be an ally.

their latest training was based on a bilateral accord enabling the Kadena base to be used for parachute training as an alternative when Ie Island is unavailable

If US troops were parachuting into fields on Ie Island then wouldn’t that indicate that Ie Island was not ‘unavailable’?

In which case, why were 20+ US troops parachuting into Kadena on the same day?

Because the US sees no need to honour it’s agreements ?

Yubaru, perhaps the "thousands" of Japanese who went on base to drink beer and eat pizza were not the same people as those who complain about the grossly unfair allocation of Okinawan land for US bases.

If America actually kept more agreements, they wouldn't need so many Marines.

Yubaru, perhaps the "thousands" of Japanese who went on base to drink beer and eat pizza were not the same people as those who complain about the grossly unfair allocation of Okinawan land for US bases.

And perhaps many that "complain" were among them as well!

I guarantee you that there WERE people who are against the bases who went there AND drank beer and ate pizza too!

Mr Kono, they are not practicing HALO, or HAHO. They are practicing a new and very secretive technique called HAWO, "high altitude - way off" ok...;-).

If US troops were parachuting into fields on Ie Island then wouldn’t that indicate that Ie Island was not ‘unavailable’?

In which case, why were 20+ US troops parachuting into Kadena on the same day?

If a unit is dropping onto Ie Island and another unit has to do a training drop at the same time, that would make Ie unavailable, now wouldn't it...

Why did not they land in the designated field in the first place? They can do it there without such trouble. It must be a part of US arrogance.

Why did not they land in the designated field in the first place? They can do it there without such trouble. It must be a part of US arrogance.

I guess it's safe to assume that you have absolutely no idea how military airborne operations work.

300 feet. That's how far off they were. That's like the other end of a parking lot. Military parachutes aren't the same thing you see skydivers using. But go ahead with your blaming the military for being too 'arrogant' to land in the correct spot on a dime.

@extanker

But Japan and US officially agreed on the designated field for parachute training.

But Japan and US officially agreed on the designated field for parachute training.

Do you really think the two Marines landed in the wrong place on purpose?

It was an accident. 300 damn feet off their designated landing zone. This is hardly an international incident.

@extanker

It seems to me Okinawans worry and hate such accident that may cause more serious accidents.

The point is that there are a lot of people who live on this island who object to the huge US military presence. Certainly 100 metres off target is not going to change the world, but people here are very sensitive to any mistake the US military make. There have been some big ones in the past, and the people who actually live their lives here have feelings.

How about the US military doing their parachute training on their own soil?

Guam for example?

Okinawa seems very inappropriate for such military training as there are thousands of locals living close to the bases.

My first reaction when reading this article was that there are a lot of facts missing, facts that probably would shed some light on this.

So, first this:

Since Japan and the United States agreed in 1996 to limit parachute drop training by U.S. forces to an airport facility on Ie Island, Kono has asked the United States to halt such training at the base on Okinawa's main island.

So, clearly the facility on Ie island is the primary location for parachute drop training. And Kono has asked that the U.S. halt such training on the main island.

But:

The U.S. forces say their latest training was based on a bilateral accord enabling the Kadena base to be used for parachute training as an alternative when Ie Island is unavailable.

So, the U.S. believes they had the right to use Kadena when the Ie site was unavailable. Which begs the obvious question: why did they believe they had that right and why does Kono believe they didn't, which is what he implied? Clearly, this is either covered in an agreement or it isn't.

But, then there is the second question. Even if the U.S. had the right to use Kadena as an alternative when the Ie site was not available, why did they use the Kadena site when the Ie site was clearly usable?

It seems to me that further discussions will likely shed light on all of this.

And, finally, the fact that the parachutists landed outside of the designated zone by 100 meters is not ideal. But it is a far cry from heavy equipment landing in a populated area or something like that.

Let's be clear. For those that want the U.S. forces out of Okinawa, anything that happens, no matter how minor, will be latched onto to protest the U.S. military presence. And I get that. However, if the starting point is that the U.S. presence is not changing anytime soon, then one can take a different perspective.

Clearly the SOP for the U.S. military in Okinawa agreed to with the Japanese government needs to be clear and precise, with no room for misunderstandings. That is essential.

How about the US military doing their parachute training on their own soil?

Read the story in full. Agreement - practice parachuting on Ie island when possible. Ie island was being used, so they practiced on Okinawa instead.

There is a new chute being used (EMMPS), most likely an honest mistake, or still learning the new chute. They will probably have a full debrief and this mistake won't be repeated.

the Marines dont have many parachutist, I guess the Army (snakeeaters?) got some there. Not sure who it could be.

But, then there is the second question. Even if the U.S. had the right to use Kadena as an alternative when the Ie site was not available, why did they use the Kadena site when the Ie site was clearly usable?

Everything you said is spot on except this. Ie was being used by another unit, so as far as the jumpers at Kadena we’re concerned, Ie was not usable.

Now perhaps the definition of ‘available’ is where the confusion lies, as for the US military, if someone else is using a site, it is not available. Maybe the Japanese believe that ‘available’ means weather or something else.

Either way, until they figure it out, Ie was in use, and unavailable, to anyone else, hence the use of Kadena as the alternate.

But no thanks to people like you and others, it will be blown out of proportion

If you had a neighbor you hated and hated for good reason, you too would harp on his every misstep.

That said, you want people to see this as a genuine accident, but this is like a genuine accident in a stolen car. You know perfectly well people are going harp on both the stealing and the accident.

And I see people talking about "agreements" too. The people complaining made no agreements. This is like the bank forcing you to give up one of your rooms to a party animal as part of terms they put into a huge mortgage contract AFTER you signed it. There was no consent on behalf of the people bearing the costs. Only those reaping the benefits consented.

The US military should leave...

Now perhaps the definition of ‘available’ is where the confusion lies, as for the US military, if someone else is using a site, it is not available. Maybe the Japanese believe that ‘available’ means weather or something else.

Either way, until they figure it out, Ie was in use, and unavailable, to anyone else, hence the use of Kadena as the alternate.

Oh, I am fairly certain that something along these lines is probably the reason for this "misunderstanding".

kurisupisu,

Kono is whining about American troops training to protect Japan in time of war?  Ridiculous...!

Are they training parachute drop to protect Japan in time of war? The most active, core elements of the Marine Corps in Okinawa are slated to move to Guam in the near future in accordance with a bilateral agreement. Maybe, they aren't Okinawa-based Marines per se but have come to Okinawa from Guam or Hawaii on a rotation basis just for such training. Is this the best measure for the protection of Japan in time of war? In other words, are the U.S. Marines supposedly stationed in Okinawa just for the protection of Japan?

 Ie was in use, and unavailable, to anyone else, hence the use of Kadena as the alternate.

Ie was available and thus being used by the US military.

If the military can't arrange their training schedules so that their right hand knows what their left hand is doing, what hopes of them doing the job properly in the heat of combat?

Agreements apparently mean nothing at all when they become even slightly inconvenient.

The US attitude is a bit like a welfare ne'erdowell insisting he be allowed to live rent-free because he drank his housing allowance.

This article left one important fact, the funding for this training was not paid by the GOJ as they agreed to do.

Ie was available and thus being used by the US military.

If the military can't arrange their training schedules so that their right hand knows what their left hand is doing, what hopes of them doing the job properly in the heat of combat?

Agreements apparently mean nothing at all when they become even slightly inconvenient.

The US attitude is a bit like a welfare ne'erdowell insisting he be allowed to live rent-free because he drank his housing allowance.

See, now this is funny.

I bet you wouldn’t tell your doctor how to perform surgery or your dentist how to fill a cavity but you suddenly think you know how to run the military.

you think military training is like a school field trip to the planetarium. ’Oh, we’re doing the same activity? Let’s all pile into the same bus!’

Unfortunately in the real world, It doesn’t work that way. Different units have different training schedules that have to be maintained. For whatever reason, two separate units needed to train at the same time. Pretty sure since they jumped at different locations, the ‘right hand’ and the ‘left hand’ knew exactly what they were doing.

But instead of accepting that you know nothing about how the military works, you accuse them of being like welfare freeloaders because some Okinawans are crying about two Marines landing the length of a parking lot off their mark in an empty field.

Yubaru,

Digging rather deep into the barrel to find something to connect to this issue today! Shame on you for trying to add flames to the fire! THIS is ancient history, relatively speaking!

Don't you understand training such as this always accompanies similar danger regardless of the time line? If accidents occurred in the past, similar accidents could occur today and in the future. The serious accidents that occurred in the past aren't things of the past as you say. They are menace we face every day. Marine helicopters and Ospreys are training heavy load-hanging flight exercises almost every day on this small and densely populated island, you know.

I bet you wouldn’t tell your doctor how to perform surgery

No, but I would be rightly and justifiably miffed if we agreed he was going to lance a boil on my foot and he then proceeded instead to remove my right kidney to transplant into his cousin.

For whatever reason,...

Ours not to reason why?

Ours just to pay up, shut up and put up?

Different units have different training schedules that have to be maintained.

Like I said, right hand, left hand. It's impossible for units to organise themselves in peacetime? When the host nation has specifically asked them not to carry out such drills at Kadena?

you accuse them of being like welfare freeloaders because some Okinawans are crying about two Marines landing the length of a parking lot off their mark in an empty field.

No, I accuse them of acting like welfare freeloaders because they make agreements they don't keep and demand more money for stuff they're not entitled to.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201907310066.html

some Okinawans are crying about two Marines landing the length of a parking lot off their mark in an empty field.

The Japan Times is saying one airman landed some 1.5 kilometres from the airfield where they were supposed to land, and the other landed on nearby private land. 1.5 kilometres is a darn big 'parking lot', and if people in military getup started parachuting uninvited onto my private land, I reckon I'd be pretty upset about it too. How would Americans like it if Japanese airmen started parachuting into their backyards without a by your leave?

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/10/29/national/u-s-conducts-parachute-training-base-okinawa-despite-calls-cancellation-tokyo/#.XbkJpi17HUI

Invalid CSRF

If you had a neighbor you hated and hated for good reason, you too would harp on his every misstep.

Not if it was me who was the one who moved into the neighborhood AFTER my neighbor was already there for decades!

Not to mention that there is no way in hell I would move next a neighbor I hated ahead of time!

Don't you understand training such as this always accompanies similar danger regardless of the time line? If accidents occurred in the past, similar accidents could occur today and in the future. The serious accidents that occurred in the past aren't things of the past as you say. They are menace we face every day. Marine helicopters and Ospreys are training heavy load-hanging flight exercises almost every day on this small and densely populated island, you know.

Yeah right so just because a JAL airplane crashed into a mountain decades ago does not stop me from riding on their airplanes today either.

There is always a "chance" something is going to happen, and even if all the military in Japan got up and left here tomorrow there still would be accidents and deaths within the Japanese community on Okinawa!

I suggest it is the people who continually look to harp on the smallest of things that are the menace and danger!

Don't you understand training such as this always accompanies similar danger regardless of the time line? 

Go ahead and get your copy-paste lined up in reply, seen all your opinions, nothing new here,

Don't worry, Kano the idiot just wanted to divert the attention from his "foot in mouth" "grandpa moment" yesterday, when he was making disconsiderate comments about the typhoon victims.

"It is a very regrettable development that could affect the Japan-U.S. alliance,"

Of course it is very regrettable! Many people in Okinawa or Japan has regards their nation  or territories were under military occupations! Japan and Okinawa has a mania of being war victims!

Don't worry, Kano the idiot just wanted to divert the attention from his "foot in mouth" "grandpa moment" yesterday, when he was making disconsiderate comments about the typhoon victims.

Ditto. I don't see what all the fuss is about. Too many variables...may be it's the wayward marines' first jump...just be glad they didn't land in the water.

Living on Okinawa does not make you an authority qualifying you to proclaim what is or is not good for Okinawa.

may be it's the wayward marines' first jump...just be glad they didn't land in the water.

Their first jump would of been at an Army base in Georgia, Marines dont have any jump training facility in Oki, that I know about. If they are jumping in Oki, I assume they have their gold wings anyhow, indicating several day and night jumps accomplished. Then to, it could of been the Army, mistaken for Marines.

Yubaru,

You can't discuss problems caused by domestic commercial airlines and unwanted foreign military aircraft on the same plane.  NEVER.

The damage caused by an unwelcome stranger on your property is not the same as that caused by you yourself even if the degrees of damage are detemined the same objectively.

Remember why they’re there? Anyone? Anyone?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GKv07XI3sjY

Sure.... and when China attacks Japan because pretty much all Chinese are brought up to hate Japan, the U.S. will have left Okinawa because a bunch of idiots complained about anything they could. Why, because they want to develop Okinawa more for tourism. This isn't about a safe place for Japanese in Okinawa... it is, as usual, about greed.

Some Okinawans might say Japanese have no business in Okinawa...where does that leave you?

You can't discuss problems caused by domestic commercial airlines and unwanted foreign military aircraft on the same plane. NEVER.

Funny, I just did and will continue to make the same comparisons as long as you keep on repeating the same moldy excuses.

BTW, the Japanese government wants them here so, you are again barking up the wrong tree! Take your issues up with Abe and see how he responds. Probably wont even give you the time of day huh!

The damage caused by an unwelcome stranger on your property is not the same as that caused by you yourself even if the degrees of damage are detemined the same objectively.

First they are not strangers, they are welcomed friends! You must admit that before any open and honest discussion can occur.

You MUST admit that the US Military is here at the request and consent of the Japanese government.You MUST admit that within Japan, a minuscule number of people are against the US military being here.

That simple!

"I guarantee you that there WERE people who are against the bases who went there AND drank beer and ate pizza too!"

Really, Yubaru-san? You obviously are lucky to have much better sources of information than us lesser folk!

Really, Yubaru-san? You obviously are lucky to have much better sources of information than us lesser folk

"Lesser folk?" You said it not me, obviously you must think of yourself that way to write it here, so to ease your mind, I was there with people who are anti-base, vote anti-base, and protest at Henoko.

They just love, for lord only knows why "Anthony's" pizza from base, and Budweiser beer! (shudder)

Well, Yubaru-san, we see eye to eye on a couple of things. I'm not a pizza fan at the best of times, and wouldn't expect a gourmet treat from Anthony's and as for Budweiser, enough said!

I'm curious to know quite how many "anti-base, vote anti-base, and protest at Henoko" you were with and whether they knew you were antipathetic to them. You imply that there were "thousands" of these. I wonder how you arrive at this figure and what your sources are.

LMAO all these comments. It's a report of American servicemen making a cock-up of things. This is par for the course with the US military, which is responsible for more friendly fire incidents than any other nation. They're famous for their casual approach to military protocol and everyone's surprised that they failed to land in the right place?

Yubaru,

First they are not strangers, they are welcomed friends! You must admit that before any open and honest discussion can occur.

How dare can you say the U.S. forces stationed in Japan, especially in Okinawa, are "welcomed friends"? Aren't they forces who took over all the bases and all the right to use them with impunity from post-war occupation forces? There's no discontinuation in the U.S. military presence for the past 74 years -- only seamless continuation.

Junichiro Koizumi, former Prime Minister, used to say U.S. bases in Japan were necessary evils, meaning Japan offers bases to U.S. forces only reluctantly, never willingly at all. These bases aren't planted here at Japan's request, as you blurt.

Take Futenma again, for example. As I said on another thread, the land it sits on was confiscated illegally in violation of international law. This illegality can never be nullified by a mere bilateral treaty like the 1971 Okinawa Reversion Agreement. So one can safely say that the Marines based there are nothing different from illegal squatters. 

But you think otherwise. You think they are "welcomed friends". Good for you.

@extanker

Right. That's why we spend billions of dollars to keep forces there. To abandon them. I never understand this logic.

You still believe in a world where the US operates upon principles of international laws and humanitarianism. Two words: Syria. Kurds.

I bet you wouldn’t tell your doctor how to perform surgery

No, but I would be rightly and justifiably miffed if we agreed he was going to lance a boil on my foot and he then proceeded instead to remove my right kidney to transplant into his cousin.

Even though this has nothing to do with what I said, I am referring to you assuming you understand the complexities of scheduling, planning and conducting a military training exercise.

Discounting that you completely disregarded the meaning of my comment, what you said doesn't even have any bearing on the actual situation. The US didn't say they were going to conduct an airborne drop and instead did an amphibious landing. They said airborne drops and they did airborne drops.

For whatever reason,...

Ours not to reason why?

Ours just to pay up, shut up and put up?

No, yours is to not pretend that you understand anything to do with military operations. Maybe educate yourself before criticizing what you have no knowledge of?

Different units have different training schedules that have to be maintained.

Like I said, right hand, left hand. It's impossible for units to organise themselves in peacetime?

Again, like I said, they were organized just fine. Two different units conducted two different training drops and two different locations. Why are you so insistent that they were unorganized when they clearly weren't? Just because you don't like how they operate, has zero bearing on their performance.

When the host nation has specifically asked them not to carry out such drills at Kadena?

Except they haven't. There is an agreement in place each party believes covered their situation. Obviously to anyone with any sense, there needs to be clarification between the two parties so this confusion doesn't happen again, but both the US military and the Japanese government believe they are in the right here. Not much point in playing the blame game until then, but I know that won't stop you.

you accuse them of being like welfare freeloaders because some Okinawans are crying about two Marines landing the length of a parking lot off their mark in an empty field.

No, I accuse them of acting like welfare freeloaders because they make agreements they don't keep and demand more money for stuff they're not entitled to.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201907310066.html

Again, they made an agreement and believed they were keeping to it. I'm sure they are working to figure it out as we speak.

And demand money? What? Welfare freeloaders also don't spend billions annually to maintain bases in Japan, but hey, what do I know...

some Okinawans are crying about two Marines landing the length of a parking lot off their mark in an empty field.

The Japan Times is saying one airman landed some 1.5 kilometres from the airfield where they were supposed to land, and the other landed on nearby private land. 1.5 kilometres is a darn big 'parking lot',

And Japan Today says 300 meters right there above. So who to believe? Either way, nobody was hurt and no property was damaged. It's a stupid thing to be upset about.

and if people in military getup started parachuting uninvited onto my private land, I reckon I'd be pretty upset about it too. How would Americans like it if Japanese airmen started parachuting into their backyards without a by your leave?

Actually most Americans would get a kick out of a military parachutist accidentally landing in their backyard and probably just post a video of it on social media for likes. But most of us Americans aren't that uptight about things like this. We're not talking about Red Dawn here, we're talking about a training exercise.

How dare can you say the U.S. forces stationed in Japan, especially in Okinawa, are "welcomed friends"?

How ironic, it's sound rather hypocritical that anyone who owes their very existence, their education, their well-being, the very food that they put in their mouths daily, to the former enemies of their forefathers, and who are best friends today!

Junichiro Koizumi, former Prime Minister, used to say U.S. bases in Japan were necessary evils, meaning Japan offers bases to U.S. forces only reluctantly, never willingly at all. These bases aren't planted here at Japan's request, as you blurt.

I highly doubt the Koizumi said this, in English, but to humor you here and accept that he said something similar in Japanese I would only say this to you.

Learn to read things figuratively speaking and stop taking everything taken literally, it will save you a lot of heartache and pain.

The JSDF are a "necessary evil" as well, sadly we dont live in a peaceful world, and only those who are naive and or ignorant to reality would use this as an argument against the positioning of US bases here in Japan.

Have no fear, if the US pulled out of Okinawa, it would be immediately be replaced with JSDF bases, as they would take over the existing facilities and use them as their own.

Okinawa will never be free from the presence of a military, either foreign or domestic.

Take Futenma again, for example. As I said on another thread, the land it sits on was confiscated illegally in violation of international law. 

Once again, beating a dead horse here! lol!

This illegality can never be nullified by a mere bilateral treaty like the 1971 Okinawa Reversion Agreement.

When one lives in a democratic country one has the right to protest and attempt to make changes in how things are run in their country. You as a citizen of Japan, have the same right as everyone else to protest these issues in the courts of the land here.

Countless court cases have been brought before the judges here on countless issues, by regular folks who took issue with the government for incidents and things related to the military in Okinawa.

Some they won, many others they didnt, and most that they lost were because they brought cases based upon EMOTIONS and not facts in law.

Just as you are doing here. Your arguments are emotional only, thus they hold no sway.

are they sure it was US Marines? The Army has some special force unit there, I know they Army doesnt do anything in Japan, but perhaps it was them?

Yubaru,

How ironic, it's sound rather hypocritical that anyone who owes their very existence, their education, their well-being, the very food that they put in their mouths daily, to the former enemies of their forefathers, and who are best friends today!

You sound like a colonial proconsul in the early 20th century, preaching subjugated people in the colony that "We invaded, occupied and colonized these islands to protect, feed and educate you. Don't you forget this fatherly benevolence on our part, ever."

But remember the material benefits you are receiving in return or exploiting are way multifold

Yubaru (Today 06:36 am JST),

Once again, beating a dead horse here! lol!

It's not a dead horse. The issue is quite up to date, live and kicking. However long ago the action by U.S. occupation forces may have taken place, the illegality of the confiscation of private property in an occupied area won't go away.

When one lives in a democratic country one has the right to protest and attempt to make changes in how things are run in their country. You as a citizen of Japan, have the same right as everyone else to protest these issues in the courts of the land here.

Are you trying to teach us what democracy is? Good for you. If the U.S. is a real democracy, it won't give short shrift to the majority voice of Okinawa and coerce the Japanese government to come to  agreement with the U.S. as regards the U.S.’s own military transformation and implement the Henoko relocation plan by all means.

most that they lost were because they brought cases based upon EMOTIONS and not facts in law.

Yeah...cause the high courts are totally fair and impartial and never, ever bought off. Right.

You still believe in a world where the US operates upon principles of international laws and humanitarianism.

Or at least he talks a good game. You should be more careful about accusing people of actually believing what they post.

Or at least he talks a good game. You should be more careful about accusing people of actually believing what they post.

‘I don’t have a rational answer, so I’ll resort to questioning the integrity of the guy who seems to actually be more knowledgeable about what we’re talking about.’

Good job.

what you said doesn't even have any bearing on the actual situation.

Of course it does. There is an agreement. The agreement is that the US will use Ie Island, not Kadena, to drop its parachutists. Like my agreement to have a boil lanced.

Obviously to anyone with any sense, there needs to be clarification between the two parties so this confusion doesn't happen again

This is the 11th instance of them doing parachute drops at Kadena since the agreement was reached in 1996, and the 4th time this year.

And they can be in no doubt as to the Japanese view of the 'confusion':

Kono said the central government had urged the U.S. government to stop conducting the drill at Kadena. *“This is against the SACO agreement and not acceptable at all,” Kono said at a news conference*

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201910300034.html

The SACO agreement:

-Parachute drop training

Relocate parachute drop training to Ie Jima Auxiliary Airfield.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/security/96saco1.html

No mention of 'but we can do what we like when it suits us and we can't be bothered to stick to any agreement and Kadena is handier'.

And demand money? What? 

Yes, demand money. The Chosen One, via the Walrus, demanded just this summer that Japan pay 5 times what it pays already to support US troops. Check the link I posted.

most Americans would get a kick out of a military parachutist accidentally landing in their backyard

A Japanese military parachutist? You really think so? I think many would see it as the start of an invasion and start exercising their 2nd Amendment rights. Heck, some Americans can't see a Japanese kid knocking on their door on Halloween without shooting at them.

And Japan Today says 300 meters

Japan Today says 100 metres. Don't worry, it's an easy enough mistake to make when you have to yo-yo between ancient and modern measuring systems. :-)

It is my belief that U.S. troops do not belong in Okinawa nor any other place the local population does not want them. Their being in Okinawa against the wishes of the people is a clear violation of basic democratic principle no matter what excuses you might invent for the situation.

A Japanese military parachutist? You really think so? I think many would see it as the start of an invasion and start exercising their 2nd Amendment rights.

and thats why we dont have any japanese paratroopers landing in our back yards....lol

Their being in Okinawa against the wishes of the people is a clear violation of basic democratic principle no matter what excuses you might invent for the situation.

Really now? The national government is a natural part of the process, the "state" does not dictate defense policy.

Take the issues up with Abe.

Yubaru,

The property was not taken illegally, you know it, but you just can accept it. No one else cares.

How do you read Article 46, Convention Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land, which states: "Family honour and rights, the lives of persons, and private property, as well as religious convictions and practice, must be respected. Private property cannot be confiscated."

Seems to me that YOU are the "bad" neighbor here.

The U.S. forces invaded and concurred Okinawa, making it an advance base for the U.S. to advance to Asia , a dream since Commodore Mathew Perry, who pried open the door of a reclusive Japan. And you tell anyone who complains about this state of affairs, blurting, "You are a bad neighbor.” LOL.

Yubaru,

The national government is a natural part of the process...

You are partly right. Ironically enough, it's the Japanese government that is more active these days to go ahead with the Henoko relocation than the U.S. government.

When the initial phase of land reclamation began in the coastal waters of Henoko, Okinawa protesters resorted to force to stop the survey work for the construction. That is how the initial Henoko plan went aground and was botched. After a year's reticence, however, the U.S. government started saying they wouldn't stick to the Henoko plan and that the relocation site could be anywhere in Japan.

Tokyo must have been flustered at this.

When Tokunoshima in the Amami group surfaced as a candidate for a relocation site, a large anti-relocation rally was held on the island with some political big shots from Tokyo participating in. Yuriko Koike (incumbent Governor of Tokyo), Defense Minister until just before, took part in the rally, shouting anti-relocation slogans together with a large throng of protesters. That clearly was the demonstration of the will that Tokyo's conservative establishment didn't want a new U.S. base to be built anywhere in Japan except Okinawa. 

From this time around, the Japanese government seems to have entertained a unified view that Henoko was the only solution for the relocation site. Isn't it an irony that today the Japanese government is rather more proactive to forge ahead with the Henoko relocation plan than the U.S. government? 

Richard P. Lawless, former Deputy Undersecretary for the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs in the Defense Department, betrayed in a recently broadcast interview with NHK that the U.S. side had always Henoko in mind from the very beginning. 

This is the reason why, to our chagrin, Tokyo is more proactive than Washington to forge ahead with the Henoko relocation plan.