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Anti-U.S. base protest

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Anti-U.S. base protesters hold placards with a slogan that reads: "No to Henoko new base" during a rally in Tokyo on Sunday. Protesters showed their strong support for Okinawans after the Japanese government took the local government in Okinawa to court in mid-November, launching a legal battle in their longstanding dispute over the planned relocation of a U.S. military air base on the southern island.

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Well, I give them credit for doing this, just want to ask which of these people would allow the base to be built in their prefecture instead?

The base is going to be built one way or the other, and it does not have to be here, but it has already been rejected in other places in Japan. So are these people protesting, in showing their support for Okinawa, willing to take on the burden instead?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

How about GUAM ?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

It's kind of ironic because in the past, these type of anti-base protests in mainland Japan (some apparently were a little more violent back then) is what caused Okinawa to get the brunt of the US military in the country. But still, it's a nice showing of solidarity to their fellows down south.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I'd show up to if I was being paid for it too.....

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

It seems that Okinawa already has fully enough bases there and no need of another new base.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

It seems that Okinawa already has fully enough bases there and no need of another new base.

I assume you don't know that this is a replacement, not a new base, and that it is significantly smaller in area than the base it is replacing - and that once built, the old base (Futenma) which is located in a much more urban and valuable area will be returned to the local government, and several other large bases (Kinser, parts of Foster) will also be returned resulting in a major decrease in US military installations on the island.

Interestingly, these protest signs really have two meanings - "no" to the Futenma Replacement Facility and "no" to any meaningful near-term reduction in US bases.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I'd show up to if I was being paid for it too.....

I assume this means you are claiming they are being paid?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

and that once built, the old base (Futenma) which is located in a much more urban and valuable area will be returned to the local government, and several other large bases (Kinser, parts of Foster) will also be returned resulting in a major decrease in US military installations on the island.

Even bigger is the return of Naha Port. That takes up a HUGE chunk of land in a prime location as well.

As noted, it is not a new base, it's a replacement facility connecting to an existing base, in a very sparsely populated area of the island, that is also economically depressed as well.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

When a base moves, the populous follows and create another jammed neighborhood.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

According to a 2012 Agreement signed by Japan and the U.S., the return of Camp Kinser, parts of Foster and Naha Port is not conditioned on the relocation of MCAS Futenma but is conditioned on replacements for these facilities being built in other parts of Okinawa and Guam. MCAS Futenma does not need to be relocated to Henoko in order for those other facilities to be returned. For example in order for Naha Port to be returned, a new U.S. Military Port must be built at Urasoe City near the present Camp Kinser. Some posts make it sound like that once MCAS Futenma is relocated that all of those other facilities will automatically be gone also but that is not the case. MCAS Futenma being relocated to Henoko only means that MCAS Futenma will be returned. A lot of other things must happen such as building new facilities in Guam and Okinawa before any other land will be returned and according to the 2012 Agreement that is no longer linked to the closing of MCAS Futenma.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

each demonstrator is paid a stipend from a private organization backed by OPG. It pays for air and ground transportation, food and room and a little spending money. So a majority of these people are there for the money not the sincerity and sacrifice of their cause.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

whether paid by OPG or some other organization if someone needs temporary money they will do it since they can't get a job with the local constructions companies who are being held back from hiring people at these ridiculous protests, but nevertheless its incoming coming in for some and the next decent meal, which is far better than begging for the next meal. Start the project, let people earn a living and move on. If they are really advocates for the economy of Okinawa jobs do more than leisure who only support lower end wage (few at that) jobs and only the landowner and developers make the big bucks.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@True Okinawa

each demonstrator is paid a stipend from a private organization backed by OPG. It pays for air and ground transportation, food and room and a little spending money.

Because your claim is so specific (rather than just speculation), I'm assuming you must have proof of this? Can you tell us where we can find it? (A link, an article, anything).

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I'm assuming you must have proof of this?

You are asking for too much. His 2nd comment contradicts his 1st comment "I'd show up to if I was being paid for it too....."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

bjohnson23: Maybe its time to respect democracy and just leave.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Protests are fine. Opinions are fine.

Who or what at what location with what kind of capability will protect Japan, including Okinawa?

With China building artificial island fortifications with Air and Sea capability in S. China Sea with intent to take over Taiwan forcefully if necessary, and possibly control all of SE Asia by force of not economically, where will Japan be?

It took China only months to build those fortifications and "years?" for Japan, just because USA will use it?

Then make it a JAPAN owned and run base with Japanese forces. Then build another one just for USA to use on some other island. Then see how long that will take.

It will certainly be much longer than the current Japan-China relations can withstand.

Then see where the USA will be in "protecting" Japan... USA is there to protect its interests and the military personnel "exposed". S. Korea's US military is exposed. Okinawa and Japan based military is exposed. (So it was with West Germany some years ago. Now Germany defends its own.)

The key is for now TIME is of essence. Obama and the Muslim wars are giving "time" for all to spare. China and Russia are taking full advantage of it. See where Asia will be during this break.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The US Bases were built to prevent and slow down an attack on the West Coast of the USA! They were Not built to defend Japan.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

nishinariku: The US Bases were built to prevent and slow down an attack on the West Coast of the USA! They were Not built to defend Japan.

Thank you but we've got the entire Pacific Ocean to slow down an attack on the West Coast, what need for your tatty little islands? Canaries?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

each demonstrator is paid a stipend from a private organization backed by OPG. It pays for air and ground transportation, food and room and a little spending money. So a majority of these people are there for the money not the sincerity and sacrifice of their cause.

Sorry but that is for protesters in Okinawa, these protesters are in front of the PM residence in Tokyo, different subject.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

All paid to be there, plain and simple. Hence the exact same signs. If they were serious about the US leaving, they'd be waving Chinese flags and welcoming the boats that keep going by. And if they were serious about not building at Henoko they'd have added, "Please stay indefinitely at Futenma", because they'll stay at Futenma until the agreed upon Henoko is finished. Period.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

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