Work resumes at disputed Okinawan site for U.S. base relocation

The people that ACTUALLY want Futenma closed should be happy -- they are that much closer to achieving the goal they've claimed to want but fought against for some time.

One of the two reasons why Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Tourism Kiichi Ishii gave for rescinding Okinawa Prefecture's request not to approve the resumption of the Henoko reclamation work was Japan should not offend the U.S. by losing trust in Japan by the U.S. In other words, Japan should not offend the U.S., he says.

What an independent sovereignty Japan is! Don't they realize the  Henko relocation is the same as selling the nation's sovereignty to a foreign country for free?

Tamaki has said he supports the Japan-U.S. security alliance, but that Okinawa should not be the only one sacrificed.

Please...sacrificed? I guess that authors no longer have the integrity of writing an article based upon it's merit alone. They just gotta throw their own political agenda into the mix.

Guarantee never going to get a Pulitzer writing like this!

Internal Japanese matter; Sounds like the USA, being a reasonable ally, will go with whatever the Japanese government decides.

Here's a solution for Tamaki and all other Okinawans: Let them build the base and move the US service personnel to it. Then ban all said personnel from ever leaving the base premises. No off-duty visits to the rest of Okinawa, no interaction with Okinawans. Period. Let's see how long the US personnel want to live on their own version of Guantanamo. Or, if you think that's not possible, a much easier method would be for all Okinawans to simply turn their backs on American service personnel and refuse to acknowledge or serve them in public places. Ignore them, like they're not there. It wouldn't take long for them to realize they're persona non grata. Call it silent protest.

Here's a solution for Tamaki and all other Okinawans: Let them build the base and move the US service personnel to it. Then ban all said personnel from ever leaving the base premises. No off-duty visits to the rest of Okinawa, no interaction with Okinawans. Period. Let's see how long the US personnel want to live on their own version of Guantanamo. Or, if you think that's not possible, a much easier method would be for all Okinawans to simply turn their backs on American service personnel and refuse to acknowledge or serve them in public places. Ignore them, like they're not there. It wouldn't take long for them to realize they're persona non grata. Call it silent protest.

This is probably the dumbest thing I've ever read about the base issues on Okinawa. Protesting against individual military members like this would do nothing for your cause in the long run. Do you think just because a military person doesn't want to be stationed somewhere that the military would just say "Ok, guess we need to close the base because no one wants to be there". Ha, if that was the case they would close down most of the bases in or near any Podunk USA town.

Restricting movement to base only would just mean more special duty pay and hardship pay for military members. Wouldn't do anything to reduce the US footprint on island, which is what the Okinawans want.

Here's a solution for Tamaki and all other Okinawans: Let them build the base and move the US service personnel to it. Then ban all said personnel from ever leaving the base premises. No off-duty visits to the rest of Okinawa, no interaction with Okinawans. Period. Let's see how long the US personnel want to live on their own version of Guantanamo. Or, if you think that's not possible, a much easier method would be for all Okinawans to simply turn their backs on American service personnel and refuse to acknowledge or serve them in public places. Ignore them, like they're not there. It wouldn't take long for them to realize they're persona non grata. Call it silent protest.

You must never have been to Okinawa because that's physically impossible... oh and a massive violation of Japanese Law

Let's hope there's no more speed bumps and the relocation to Camp Schwab can happen, MCAS Futenma is returned, and the US/GOJ can finally continue the realignment reducing the burden on the island.

Let's hope there's no more speed bumps and the relocation to Camp Schwab can happen, MCAS Futenma is returned, and the US/GOJ can finally continue the realignment reducing the burden on the island.

YES! And the noise here, will hopefully die down too!

Yubaru & CyburneticTiger,

If this ever happens, it's the day when democracy has died and tyranny has taken its place. Japan will remain a U.S. vassal forever with Okinawa being offered to the U.S.as its permanent military colony in name and substance. Do you think people anywhere can tolerate such state of affairs?

Its not if it’s when.

It’s your opinion but there is absolutely no validity or truth to what you’re saying. There is no tyranny or vassal and there is no colony. It’s a national government determining how to align its national defense posture the best possible ways and that power has ALWAYS BEEN A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT POWER. Japan makes its own decisions with request of the US, there’s no colony in Japan because the US doesn’t dictate political and societal life

If this ever happens, it's the day when democracy has died and tyranny has taken its place. Japan will remain a U.S. vassal forever with Okinawa being offered to the U.S.as its permanent military colony in name and substance. Do you think people anywhere can tolerate such state of affairs?

You call a smaller military presence the end of democracy and the beginning of tyranny?

You have be screaming that there has been a military occupation here in Okinawa for decades, been complaining about the US Marine Corp and no other branch of service, been making outlandish unsupportable claims about any number of issues, and now you want people to believe that the removal of arguably the most dangerous military airfield in the world, the closure of numerous large installations, the removal of literally thousands of troops is the BEGINNING of tyranny in Okinawa?

It's not "if", it's when the facilities are completed. No matter what you say anymore, the conclusion is getting closer and all Okinawa will take a deep breath and go on living!

CyburneticTiger:

There is no tyranny or vassal and there is no colony.

If a government forges ahead with its agenda in complete disregard of citizens' wishes that have been shown in a series of elections, trampling down democratic principles, that's tyranny. If there's a shrewd mechanism that obliges a smaller country to act as a domineering country dictates, the former is vassal of the latter. If a powerful country keeps large contingents of military forces in a lesser country for over for well over 73 years with no end in sight for ending their military presence, the country under such a regime is a military colony.

I didn't coin the words "military colony" myself. Doug Bandow, a former Reagan administration policy advisor, has written a book called "Okinawa: Liberating Washington's East Asian military colony". Kensei Yoshida also published a book in 2007 entitled "Military Colony -- Okinawa, What makes it different from mainland Japan? (「軍事植民地」沖縄―日本本土との“温度差”の正体）

Yubaru:

...now you want people to believe that the removal of arguably the most dangerous military airfield in the world, the closure of numerous large installations, the removal of literally thousands of troops is the BEGINNING of tyranny in Okinawa?

If the U.S. side realizes MC Air Station Futenma is "the most dangerous military airfield in the world" and that the danger must be eliminated as soon as possible, they should close it right then and there and return the land in no time. This is possible only if the U.S. government simply says, "Agreed".

 Strategically speaking, there's no reason why the Marines must keep training bases within Okinawa. The most active of them, said to be about 8 ,000, are to relocate to Guam in the near future, you know.

Tamaki won't know what to do with himself when the move finally happens and there's nothing more to protest.

What will all those paid protestors do then? I see it now, Tamaki is just trying to keep people employed...

Strategically speaking, there's no reason why the Marines must keep training bases within Okinawa. 

Funny, I guess you think that whatever you say matters here, it doesn't. Nor does what I say either, but my vote counts, which accounts for something!

Yubaru,

Funny, I guess you think that whatever you say matters here, it doesn't. Nor does what I say either, but my vote counts, which accounts for something!

I've questioned elsewhere why the construction of the Henoko new base is of necessity strategically. Firstly, that the most active elements of Okinawa-deployed Marines numbering 8,000 can be moved to Guam, leaving support units and command units only in Okinawa attest that the Marines are stationed in Okinawa only for their convenience. Secondly, it's been bilaterally agreed that JSDF has primary responsibility to deal with contingencies involved with territorial disputes, whereby their explanation that the Marines are stationed in Okinawa for Okinawa’s strategic location is a farce.

Washington must answer these questions if it insists the new base is necessary whatever the  cost may be. To holler the construction will be carried out whatever Okinawa may say is nothing but a hooligan's hollering and intimidation.

Extanker,

This is my response to your post also.

Tamaki won't know what to do with himself when the move finally happens and there's nothing more to protest.

What will all those paid protestors do then? I see it now, Tamaki is just trying to keep people employed...

During his campaign Tamaki stated, "I can clearly say that in Okinawa, we no longer want the bases of the US that will destroy our peace and destroy our nature." 

Note he didn't specifically state "Marine bases of the US", but "bases of the U.S." Was he also thinking of US Air Force and US Navy bases as well?

After completion of Henoko base and closure of Futenmae base, is Gov Tamaki and his paid protesters going to protest the US Air Force and US Navy bases next and demand their closure as well?

It must be difficult to be a "Denny One-Note" governor, isn't it?

Halwick,

According to the Okinawa Prefecture Base Affairs Section, the composition of U.S. Forces Okinawa as of June 2011 is as follows:

Army: 1,547 soldiers (6.0%) 

Navy: 2,159 sailors (8.4%)

Air Force; 6,772 airmen (26.2%)

Marine Corps: 15,365 marines (59.5%)

So, you know, it's the members of Air Force and Marine Corps, above all the latter, that are causing the bulk of trouble to Okinawa. If you stayed even one day in Kadena, Yara or Mizugama district, that are adjacent to Kadena Air Base, on any weekday, you will find noises from roaring jet fighters are beyond limit of impatience. Kadena also saw many serious accidents in the past. Fresh in our memory are the crash in 1968 of a B-52 bomber fully loaded with ammunition and the crash in 1958 of a Kadena-based jet fighter in the Ishikawa City (now part of Uruma City). 

That being the case, Kadena Air Base has been encircled by protesters forming human chains, not once but four times. People living around the base have filed lawsuits against the state (Note it wasn’t against Washington), seeking a redemption for ever-continuing noise pollutions.

The most notable U.S. naval facility in Okinawa is Naval Base White Beach in Uruma City. Except port calling once in a while by nuclear submarines in violation of Japan’s three non-nuclear principles, this naval base has caused almost no serious trouble vis-a-vis the local civilian sector.

To sum up, all Okinawans with no exception consider it'd be better if there were no U.S. bases at all. Gov. Tamaki is in line of this opinion. But an imminent point at issue is Futenma, a Marine air base. The problem can be solved immediately the moment the U.S. side said, "Yes, we will return the land with no strings attached." Ours is not a preposterous demand because we know there's no strategic reason why Futenma’s function must be maintained in Okinawa. Only a hooligan can deny this claim of ours.

I've questioned elsewhere why the construction of the Henoko new base is of necessity strategically

What difference does it make? Your "questioning" is of no importance to the situation. You also have been told countless other times on numerous different threads after repeating the same or similar "questions" the Marines are not here JUST for strategic purposes. You somehow seem to think that any of this matters, it doesnt.

And please stop with the "we" this or that, you do not speak for Okinawa, nor it's people, you speak for yourself alone. You are again showing your condescending attitude to the Okinawan people, if you have ANY respect at all for the people on this island, you will stop.

But you cant can you......

Yubaru,

You also have been told countless other times on numerous different threads after repeating the same or similar "questions" the Marines are not here JUST for strategic purposes. You somehow seem to think that any of this matters, it doesnt.

Sorry, I have never been told answers to tes question even just once. All I remember is either you threw a parting shot or just kept mum about it.  For heaven's sake, could you give me an answer to the question this time around?

Let me repeat the question for your convenience.

Why is it necessary to reclaim land off the coast of Camp Schwab and build a new base said to be Futenma’s replacement, (1) when the most active elements of the Marines are to relocate to Guam, and (2) when the two governments struck a deal to the effect that primary responsibility to defend Japan’s territory rests with JSDF, not USFJ?

So, you know, it's the members of Air Force and Marine Corps, above all the latter, that are causing the bulk of trouble to Okinawa. If you stayed even one day in Kadena, Yara or Mizugama district, that are adjacent to Kadena Air Base, on any weekday, you will find noises from roaring jet fighters are beyond limit of impatience. Kadena also saw many serious accidents in the past. Fresh in our memory are the crash in 1968 of a B-52 bomber fully loaded with ammunition and the crash in 1958 of a Kadena-based jet fighter in the Ishikawa City (now part of Uruma City).

Please, using a crash from 1958 and 1968 to justify what is going on in your mind TODAY? I'll bet half the people on JT werent even born yet, you included.

You know what, for every incident you talk about, I can name, at least, 10 more FOR EACH EXAMPLE that happen between Japanese on island! Oh and people living near Naha AP have screaming jets flying over their heads daily, and not to mention the folks who live in the flight path in Itoman, it's 24/7.

Get off the high horse.

Sorry, I have never been told answers to tes question even just once. All I remember is either you threw a parting shot or just kept mum about it. For heaven's sake, could you give me an answer to the question this time around?

Yes you have, you just don't like the answers, it's that simple.

Why is it necessary to reclaim land off the coast of Camp Schwab and build a new base said to be Futenma’s replacement, (1) when the most active elements of the Marines are to relocate to Guam, and (2) when the two governments struck a deal to the effect that primary responsibility to defend Japan’s territory rests with JSDF, not USFJ?

Ask USJF, United States Forces Japan! Because any answers you get here you won't like, you wont like their answers either! That is if they will answer you, because I am done repeating myself.

Yubaru,

Ask USJF, United States Forces Japan! Because any answers you get here you won't like, you wont like their answers either! That is if they will answer you, because I am done repeating myself

Ask USFJ because you can't answer? Does it mean you can't answer it at all? So you agree with me that the new base in Henoko is a white elephant?

Ask USFJ because you can't answer? Does it mean you can't answer it at all?

It means what I initially wrote. I have answered before, am not going to again, that simple.

So you agree with me that the new base in Henoko is a white elephant

Don't you ever get tired of asking questions you already know the answers to? I get it, you just love having the last word....go ahead your turn.

I will say this, a snowball has a better chance in hell than me agreeing with you on this issue.

Yubaru,

I never get tired of asking you the same question time and time again until you answered it properly and satisfactorily. Just repeating "I have answered before" when in fact you haven't isn't the answer. 

I know you can never answer it because I know USFJ can't, either, let alone the U.S. government. Thus, they are trying to construct the new base without any good reasons. Allowing them to construct the new base in Henoko means Japan has relinquished its sovereignty over part or all of Okinawa for the sake of the U.S. Marines Therefore, this evil project must be prevented from being realized by all means.

It's about time that the government got this back on track. It has gotten close to the point where, if some act of god, or whatever, and they had to stop, it would cost more, than finishing.

I challenge anyone who complains about this landfill project at Camp Schwab, to have the same passion and temerity to do the same at ANY and all construction sites here on Okinawa and in the surrounding waters.

These are needed for the development of the island, including the one here at Schwab. Everyone's silence about the countless others is just an open sign of hypocrisy.

Yubaru,

It has gotten close to the point where, if some act of god, or whatever, and they had to stop, it would cost more, than finishing

Do you still insist on and urge for the construction of the new base in Henoko despite the Moderator's admonition for us not to go around in circles? Probably, you want to say that the further the delay of finishing the construction, the higher the cost will be. This is really nonsense because the whole project is a white elephant from the start, for which no tax money should ever be squandered

What's your argument that it isn't a while elephant and the new base is absolutely necessary for the defense of Japan and Okinawa? Don’t pretend you have answered it already.

I challenge anyone who complains about this landfill project at Camp Schwab, to have the same passion and temerity to do the same at ANY and all construction sites here on Okinawa and in the surrounding waters.

Please don't ever confuse this new base construction for foreign armed forces with domestic construction work such as expanding Naha Air Port, and what not.