Japan, U.S. try to salvage Futenma relocation plan

Both Japan and the US have no money. Maybe less spending on military and more on domestic problems might help both countries. It is time to remove American troops from Japan and that does not stop both countries from remaining friends.

It's not time to leave Japan. Not when she needs to heal. Similar to Post-WWII, Japan needed time to grow, to recover from the crash landing that was Imperialism. We've always been there for Japan and will continue.

We can see that Japan is a bit of child. She doesn't know what's best for her. Keeping the U.S. Military here means you can continue your freedom, shopping for brand bags, golf, Shabu Shabu and new cars and homes. This is a WIN-WIN situation for Japan. We stay the course, save money, everybody wins.

I keep saying this: You move the base and the people outside of the base will follow. Creates the same situation in a different location.

This is a waste of time and money, why don't the people living in Okinawa trade places with the people living in the gym floors up North since they resent the US presence so much. I'm pretty sure the people who suffered from the earthquake would love that.

The U.S. government is broke - they have no money for this relocation.

Serrano/bsosaka - totally agree!

The US is broke, Japan even more so.

It's time to stop the "protection racket" and wasting money on "defense."

"Defense!"

That's a joke!

Two waring nations kill each other, grab lands from each other. That's life. (You don't like it, don't start the war). Based on which international law that Okinawa belongs to Japan and not USA?

If the US or Japan were truly democratic, they'd do one easy thing:

Have a referendum and allow the Japanese people to decide a) if they want to keep US military bases in Japan; b) if they agree to have them, they'd decide where to put them, and under what conditions.

This is not even a discussion, and that is what we would expect in undemocratic societies. As anyone can see, the US demanded those bases, the J-govt acceded to their wishes, and the Japanese people were never asked.

As to the repeat of 1950's propaganda that claimed the Japanese were too weak to defend themselves (from whom, Chinese fisherman or the nonsense over N Korea - what a piffle) so they need the big protector US to look out for them. The only the US looks out for is its own interests, which is what that argument is about.

Real democracy means the people make decisions and they've got no leader. That is an utter fantasy in Japan; in the US, maybe someday....day. Don't worry, the Arabs are miles ahead - or at least their protests are.

See you in a few years...

Referendum? A big yes. Smart Japanese (except Chinese-Japanese in Japan) know that without big brother USA standing there China will take Taiwan and the Philippines and control Japan's life line. They also know that having some security for a song is a good thing to do.

Oh nothing is going to change because only the people of Okinawa want change. The Okinawa politicians will lose their only good argument to get elected, the Americans will lose their free bases and the Japanese dont want more bases on the mainland. So really all of this talk is nonsense

Democracy was developed in Ancient Greece. Actually, at the time, it wasn't Greece as we know it now, it was a bunch of "city states," like Troy, Sparta and so on. Each had a population of several thousand. When you have a population this low, democracy kind of makes sense, but when you're dealing with populations of several hundred million, one person's vote begins to look very, very insignificant.

Can it be called democracy?

It's not government by the people, is it?

It's one way communication. You listen to them, but they don't listen to you.

How about the "Patriot Act," for example.

How democratic is this?

Now, on the Okinawan issue, how about a referendum. Ask the Okinawans what they want. And LISTEN to what they have to say.

In a democracy, politicians are not really leaders, they are representatives of the people.

How about doing a little representing, guys?

I hope my country will end the racism

Listen to johninnaha, he just gave you the greatest answer to a problem that is yuears old. The final answer is to bring all our people back home...........

The problem above is 66 years old - Sorry.

Futenma isn't going anywhere soon. Said the same thing back in 2006 once the relocation plans first came out. They'll continue to bicker and when it does finally move, it will stay in Okinawa and the vocal minority in Okinawa (most of whom are actually from mainland, go figure) against the bases will be told to shut up and color. IMO Japan should help Okinawa out by allowing it to be relocated to somewhere up in the mainland. But I doubt that the naicha up north want that NIMBY.

This is above my level, time to put in a dvd and relax. Getting upset about this is not going to do a thing for me or you.

"The only ( thing ) the US looks out for is its own interests"

You missed Operation Tomadachi, didn't you?

A lot of things is measured for what U.S. military personnel has contributed to Japan during the last six decades.