Japan to deploy missile defense unit on Yonaguni: report

Please don't damage that pyramid that sits underwater just off the coast. It was built by aliens.

Both off topic posts! Evidently some folks dont understand the concept of "surface to air"

Unfortunately,any aggression from Japan to China would see a full scale war break out and a couple of nuclear detonations here and there-these weapons are all but absolutely useless!

China will of course, see this as the provocation that it is. A pointless dispute about an uninhabited island few in Japan nor China even know exists.

Apparently, JSDF is replacing USFJ for the role of attacking hostile forces, which will violate Article 9 of the constitution as well as the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. 

What's the use, then, of providing so many bases for free to USFJ plus so much tax money for their maintenance? 　USFJ has become superfluous all the more, not to mention the Henoko new base now under construction.

Unfortunately,any aggression from Japan to China would see a full scale war break out

There is ZERO aggression being shown from Japan. It is purely defense - the right of every sovereign country.

Let Communist China - and all Japans enemies know, loud and clear : Japan will defend every square inch of her territory.

Furthermore, Japan having a military base in the region will be a great help to Taiwan.

Apparently, JSDF is replacing USFJ for the role of attacking hostile forces, which will violate Article 9 of the constitution as well as the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. 

Apparently someone else does not understand the purpose of a defensive missile system.

USFJ has become superfluous all the more, not to mention the Henoko new base now under construction.

Off topic post again! Also, well known that it is not a "new" base, just a landfill to an existing one named Camp Schwab

Unfortunately,any aggression from Japan to China would see a full scale war break out and a couple of nuclear detonations here and there-these weapons are all but absolutely useless.

Sigh. The idea is to prevent a war by demonstrating to China that, number one, Japan would defend Yonaguni in the event of a Chinese attack and number two, having forces present including air defense weapons makes it costly for the Chinese to take it by force. Leaving Yonaguni basically guarantees China would take it in the event of hostilities with either Taiwan or Japan. Arming it makes a war less likely.

I should have said leaving Yonaguni undefended basically guarantees China would take it in the event of hostilities .....

Japanese central government uses Okinawa as if shield of mainland again as same as when WW2 that victimized many Okinawa residents.

Apparently, JSDF is replacing USFJ for the role of attacking hostile forces, which will violate Article 9 of the constitution as well as the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. 

USFJ didn’t have a presence on Yonaguni Island how USFJ being replaced by JGDF? Not to mention article didn’t mention the type of Air Defense systems (there are three types).

I can assure you both the US Military and JGDF isn’t violating any treaties, or Constitutions. They have a lot and a lot of attorneys who specialize in that.

Off topic post again! Also, well known that it is not a "new" base, just a landfill to an existing one named Camp Schwab

Exactly correct!!!

Japanese central government uses Okinawa as if shield of mainland again as same as when WW2 that victimized many Okinawa residents.

Take a long hard look at any map of the region. Okinawa is in the unfortunate position geographically, of being right in the way of any aggressor wishing to attack Japan from the south, and is in the direct path of China's well known desire, to have direct access to the Pacific Ocean.

There is nothing anyone can do to change it, but it's also childish and naïve to think that removing any bases, or not preparing it's defenses properly would keep Japan "safe".

Okinawa is a shield, and unlike WW2, it does not stand alone, it has both the JSDF and USJF together, as allies, to defend it, and Japan as well, from any and all outside aggressors.

Yet further provocation towards our neighbour China under the orders from our master, the rogue state of the USA.

Apparently, JSDF is replacing USFJ for the role of attacking hostile forces,

There is no "replacing" involved. US forces have no base on Yonaguni The island was utterly undefended until the JSDF set up a base there.

There is no "replacing" involved. US forces have no base on Yonaguni The island was utterly undefended until the JSDF set up a base there.

Be careful here you don't want to let facts get in the way here!

 Not to mention article didn’t mention the type of Air Defense systems (there are three types).

The only medium range air defense missile in JGSDF inventory is the Type-03 Chu-SAM. The JASDF operates PAC-3 but those are pretty strictly for ballistic missile defense. Type-03 is quite sophisticated as it uses an AESA radar.

Take a long hard look at any map of the region. Okinawa is in the unfortunate position geographically, of being right in the way of any aggressor wishing to attack Japan from the south, and is in the direct path of China's well known desire, to have direct access to the Pacific Ocean.

There is nothing anyone can do to change it, but it's also childish and naïve to think that removing any bases, or not preparing it's defenses properly would keep Japan "safe". 

Okinawa is a shield, and unlike WW2, it does not stand alone, it has both the JSDF and USJF together, as allies, to defend it, and Japan as well, from any and all outside aggressors.

absolutely spot on!

China can neutralize it in a matter of minutes.

Japan-U.S. Joint Declaration on Security

https://www.mod.go.jp/en/j-us-alliance/joint-declaration/index.html

Hand in hand with the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.

Japan Government would would have access to state of the art SAM technology

NASAMS: National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System

https://www.raytheonmissilesanddefense.com/what-we-do/missile-defense/air-and-missile-defense-systems/nasams

Japan has a right to defend its people against a ever increasing threat from the dictatorships of China, Russia, North Korea

China can neutralize it in a matter of minutes.

Are you familiar with the concept of tripwires? This one is clearly visible.

Japan should have done this YEARS ago. Also, on a few more Islands for wider coverage.

This has little or nothing to do with Defense of Japan. It’s Amurika pulling its puppet strings to create an Ukraine-like proxy war in a futile attempt to maintain its imperialist hegemony. The US military industrial complex will gladly fight China over Taiwan to the last Japanese and any other sucker nations that are subservient to it. ☮️

Japan Government would would have access to state of the art SAM technology

NASAMS: National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System

I think the Type-03 Chu-SAM has a more advanced seek than anything NASAMS shoots. The missile used by Type 03 is derived from the Type 99 air to air missile, which was the first missile to carry an AESA radar. I do not believe anything NASAMS can fire has such a seeker.

Mr KiplingToday  07:48 am JST

China will of course, see this as the provocation that it is. A pointless dispute about an uninhabited island few in Japan nor China even know exists.

I don't think the island is whats important, its whats under it both countries want to be the owner of.

China can neutralize it in a matter of minutes.

And the US could do the same to China. Neither will.

In an actual war neither side is going to go nuclear out of the gate. The costs are just too high. Both sides will want to prevail without risking incinerating their cities. Both sides will try to get a significant advantage over the other through conventional arms and consolidate their conquest(s)  as rapidly as possible hoping to present their enemy with a fait accompli. In the US case means their stealth bombers are going to be busy popping ICBM silos with conventional precision guided hard target penetrator bombs. A B-2 could carry six to ten heavy bombs (at least) suitable for that mission and with precision guidance take out a different silo with each bomb. 20 B-2s could take out as many as 200 ICBM silos in one raid. More when the B-21 is on line. The F-35s will be busy knocking down DF-21-24 sites and SAM sites hoping to leave China, or Russia, with so few remaining strategic weapons they would not dare risk a nuclear attack.

A number of posts stating this is useless, it is a provocation to China etc. So what do they say about Russia putting missiles on the Northern Territories islands? Huge provocation to Japan? Totally useless as Japan can wipe them out in minutes? Just silence when Russia or China does something similar but Japan doing it is criminal?

Japan has every right to put any weapons systems it has on any of it's territories at any time.

Peter14,has not quoted American in the past post,these island are almost 230 miles from China coast,China could launch a nuclear strike in less than one minute from their shore Google Luci Island China to Yonaguni distance

How close these island to China, and Chinese could launch a strike in 30 minutes with jets Google Luci Island to 24.456,122.984 distance

YrralToday 11:41 am JST

Peter14,has not quoted American in the past post

Why would I quote something American, this article is about Japan. Confusing.

,these island are almost 230 miles from China coast,China could launch a nuclear strike in less than one minute from their shore Google Luci Island China to Yonaguni distance

Larry forgets the chances of such an occurrence is practically zero. Who these days launches nuclear weapons? Nobody since 1945. But hey, keep talking like it can actually happen and maybe you will get your wish.

Yubaru (Today  08:05 am JST),

Also, well known that it is not a "new" base, just a landfill to an existing one named Camp Schwab

Whether you may call it a new base or Futenma's replacement doesn't count much here, as far as the facility now under construction with innovative functions added, which Futenma does not have, is concerned.’

Peter14 ,I do not like the US military,been used prop up a lots of foreigners insecurity,we hope our military never go in harm way,the US military is only thing China , Russian and NK fear from attacking others,they never seriously think about attacking us

YrralToday 11:47 am JST

How close these island to China, and Chinese could launch a strike in 30 minutes with jets Google Luci Island to 24.456,122.984 distance

So? Is there a point your trying to make? Missiles are fast no matter who launches them, or who they are aimed at. Japanese and American missiles are as fast as Chinese missiles.

YrralToday 12:03 pm JST

I do not like the US military,

A disloyal statement from an American. And yet I am not surprised considering who posted that statement.

"Japan should have done this YEARS ago. Also, on a few more Islands for wider coverage."

Well,

"Threat hit rate! Japanese surface-to-air missile Type-03 SAM (improved type"

"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OF5RlEV2fc"

Yonaguni Island is indeed very close to Taiwan. And although a "certain country" will see this as aggressive, I don't see what other choice Japan has, given the stated aims and clear displays of aggression from said "certain country".

So, any Russian who would say "I do not like the Russian military" is also disloyal by that argument!

Desert Tortoise (Dec. 28   09:24 am JST),

I'm talking about the overall U.S. military presence when I say JSDF is replacing USFJ. JSDF is virtually a part and parcel of the US Pacific Command headquartered in Honolulu, isn't it?’

We moan about China militarization of uninhabited islands while at the same time we are militarizing our inhabited ones putting our citizens in grave danger.

Desert, clearly the J government can utilise its own system technology, and possibly develop a new generation and improve, it is a question of allocating the necessary budget. The expertise is in-house.

I am behind the times.

All the noise/echo...

There is zero chance, zero, of China engaging militarily with Japan, unless, Japan chooses, her own choice, to get involved with China's internal issue of Taiwan, and only Taiwan.

Pointless and putting citizens lives potentially at risk...Well done Japan. Tax payers money well spent again

Okun, China do not want missile 230 miles from their,they will launch a preemptively strike against Japan, Japanese government has false confidence ,while hiding behind the US power

China do not want missile 230 miles from their,they will launch a preemptively strike against Japan

Japan, like any country is allowed to have missiles for defensive purposes. The start of this reinforcement plan is when china, the neighborhood bully, decided to lobby missiles close to Japan.

Just about every country in the neighborhood is increasing their defensive budgets because of china!!

My loyalty too my fellow Americans,is not questionable even when they do not deserve,I would never sell any American out for a foreign interest

Ha! Ha! You are not American! Just about everything you comment on isn't American. Also, you should use a better translating app, sometimes I can't understand the mixed salad!!

I'm talking about the overall U.S. military presence when I say JSDF is replacing USFJ. JSDF is virtually a part and parcel of the US Pacific Command headquartered in Honolulu, isn't it

I have never seen Japanese personnel assigned to any US base. I see lots of Brits, Canadians, Danes, Australians, Finns and Dutch officers on assignment to US bases working on projects for their government (weapons or aircraft used by their nation and the US) but no Japanese. I have seen British and Australians officers do exchange tours with us but never a Japanese officer. The Luftwaffe conducts flight training from a USAF base in Arizona but no Japanese. The only time I have seen Japanese aboard US bases is when their ships visit, during a RIMPAC exercise or when they come over to use our ranges to test and train on their missiles. The Japanese fire their anti-ship missiles from the California coast every year for training and they did the development testing for the Type-03 Chu-SAM at White Sands.

Okun, China do not want missile 230 miles from their,they will launch a preemptively strike against Japan, Japanese government has false confidence ,while hiding behind the US power

These are medium range air defense missiles, Type-03 Chu SAM. They have a 50 km range and are for shooting down aircraft, helicopters and cruise missiles. They are no threat to China.

However the USA hasn't ever confirmed the defense of the senkaku in thier agreement with Japan.

Then Defense Secretary Mattis said so explicitly during a press conference with Japan Defense Minister Tomomi Inada saying:

"I made clear that our long-standing policy on the Senkaku Islands stands — the U.S. will continue to recognize Japanese administration of the islands and as such Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty applies."

https://thediplomat.com/2017/02/mattis-senkakus-covered-under-us-japan-security-treaty/

More recently on a phone call to the current Japan Defense Minister Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated this commitment regarding the Senkaku Islands

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/new-us-defence-secretary-lloyd-austin-reaffirms-commitment-to-japan-to-defend-senkaku-islands-2357350

We moan about China militarization of uninhabited islands while at the same time we are militarizing our inhabited ones putting our citizens in grave danger.

Do you read what you write? First off the islands the Chinese are militarizing are entirely man made, built up on top of submerged reefs. The Japanese islands are natural islands, not man made. They have towns, small ports with fishing boats and have been populated by Japanese for many centuries. They are not uninhabited. But that begs the second question. If they were uninhabited how would that put citizens in danger? If they are uninhabited there are no citizens there to put in danger. You're comments puzzle me.

I'm talking about the overall U.S. military presence when I say JSDF is replacing USFJ. JSDF is virtually a part and parcel of the US Pacific Command headquartered in Honolulu, isn't it?’

No you are attempting to insert your own agenda here. It's off topic along with any commentary about Camp Schwab's landfill.

Your commentary about the JSDF being a part of USFJ is ludicrous.

That annoying Voice in Okinawa is back again. You should "Go Home" before anything happens.

@Desrt Tortois, your comments puzzle me. You speak as if you are/were military or at least a DoD contractor, but you seem to have no clue about bases in Japan. Why are you here? Do you live in Japan?

JSDF has commands/Personnel at every single base here. Ground, Air, and Maritime. We train together often, and (not often enough, IMHO) we play together too. There were JMSDF, Australians and Koreans on CVN76 just a few weeks ago, sharpening all of our abilities to cooperate in joint missions.

kurisupisuToday  07:32 am JST

Unfortunately,any aggression from Japan to China

Can't happen as the first paragraph of Article 9 prohibts instigating aggression. China on the other hand has no such restriction and threatens Taiwan daily.

Mr KiplingToday  07:48 am JST

China will of course, see this as the provocation that it is.

Placing Surface to Air missiles on their own territory is not a "provocation" in anyone's book.

Are you guys going to take some time off from posting from January 22nd?

Japan should also deploy surface-to-sea missiles, all preferably on mobile launchers. In addition, it should produce and deploy in quantity medium-range surface-to-land missiles. Most importantly, it should sell diesel submarine technology to Taiwan secretly and cooperate with Taiwan in weapons production.

Rather than a Big Brother, China has become a Big Bully. A shame. It didn't have to happen to this way. I think it is a result of having a megalomaniac dictator in charge of the country.

Rather than a Big Brother, Japan has become a Big Bully. A shame. It didn't have to happen this way. Stationing troops and now building missile sites on Okinawan islands without the express consent of island residents.

YubaruDec. 28 03:38 pm JST

I'm talking about the overall U.S. military presence when I say JSDF is replacing USFJ. JSDF is virtually a part and parcel of the US Pacific Command headquartered in Honolulu, isn't it?’

No you are attempting to insert your own agenda here. It's off topic along with any commentary about Camp Schwab's landfill.

Your commentary about the JSDF being a part of USFJ is ludicrous.

Glad someone else sees this.

And in no way is this a provocation by Japan. They have the right to defend their sovereign territory. It just happens to be in close proximity to Taiwan. And ask Vietnam and the Philippines about some new "sovereign" territory being built from underwater coral and claimed as Chinese territory. Who's the provocateur?

JSDF has commands/Personnel at every single base here. Ground, Air, and Maritime. We train together often, and (not often enough, IMHO) we play together too. There were JMSDF, Australians and Koreans on CVN76 just a few weeks ago, sharpening all of our abilities to cooperate in joint

That's Japan. Voiceofokinawa was saying that there were Japanese military embedded in PACOM in Hawaii. They are not. He sort of implied the JSDF was part of PACOM. That is not true either.

What you see in Japan is completely different because legally the bases belong to the Japanese operated jointly with US forces often side by side with Japanese military units. That's Japan. You do not see that elsewhere. But I can show you bases in the US where there are other NATO and Pacific allies officers and enlisted troops permanently stationed in the US, they buy homes and become for a time part of our community, however I have never once seen Japanese military members assigned to a US base. We don't train Japanese aviators for example but we certainly had lots of Norwegians, Italians and Saudis in flight school when I went through.

Of course we operate together. During one deployment our ship, USS Sacramento, was assigned to Japanese task group to be their logistics ship as the JMSDF at the time had no similar capability. Those are short term exercises, not situations where a foreign nation has a permanent presence on a US base. The F-35 will likely change that because the software labs each nation will operate are all on US soil under US control. The Japanese will have to stand up something permanent in the US to support their F-35s

Then there's the concern by many that Japan might drastically return to its former military tactics of the JIA.

Who is this "many"? You have zero credibility without anything to back it up!

So if someone has a missile launcher pointed at your home you wouldn't feel threatened ?

Only said by someone who doesnt understand what a surface to air defense system is all about.

Lets be realistic please.

You should take your own advice here.

Desert Tortoise,

I have never seen Japanese personnel assigned to any US base. I see lots of Brits, Canadians, Danes, Australians, Finns and Dutch officers on assignment to US bases working on projects for their government (weapons or aircraft used by their nation and the US) but no Japanese. I have seen British and Australians officers do exchange tours with us but never a Japanese officer. The Luftwaffe conducts flight training from a USAF base in Arizona but no Japanese. The only time I have seen Japanese aboard US bases is when their ships visit, during a RIMPAC exercise or when they come over to use our ranges to test and train on their missiles. The Japanese fire their anti-ship missiles from the California coast every year for training and they did the development testing for the Type-03 Chu-SAM at White Sands.

You have never seen Japanese military personnel on U.S. bases but lots of British, Canadian, Danish, Australian, Finnish and Dutch officers? On the basis of this fact, you want to say JSDF is not replacing USFJ? 

According to your logic, the U.S. government is giving back the U.S. military's exclusive-use bases in those countries, but not bases in Japan. 

The U.S. military is here to stay forever no matter what. Is that what you want to say?

You have never seen Japanese military personnel on U.S. bases but lots of British, Canadian, Danish, Australian, Finnish and Dutch officers? 

You really need to understand what you read before making assumptions and commenting. Notice he posted, ASSIGNED, not seen. You again, twist words to attempt to make a point.

According to your logic, the U.S. government is giving back the U.S. military's exclusive-use bases in those countries, but not bases in Japan. 

"Exclusive use" in "those" countries. The comment, again reading comprehension here, was about US bases in the US.

The U.S. military is here to stay forever no matter what. Is that what you want to say?

As long as the Japanese government wants them here then yes they will be here. You know that as well.

Placing Surface to Air missiles on their own territory is not a "provocation" in anyone's book.

So if someone has a missile launcher pointed at your home you wouldn't feel threatened ?

Lets be realistic please.

I know of no people who live in the sky. Does anybody? Surface to air missiles, out of range of any other land mass, is a danger to no country. Only to hostiles flying within range.

Lets be completely honest please.

Desert Tortoise - you're always bang on the money - contemplative and knowledgeable - unlike regurgitating trolls

Yubaru,

You really need to understand what you read before making assumptions and commenting. Notice he posted, ASSIGNED, not seen. You again, twist words to attempt to make a point.

Does it satisfy you if I wrote the sentence as "You have never seen Japanese military personnel assigned to U.S. bases"?

"Exclusive use" in "those" countries. The comment, again reading comprehension here, was about US bases in the US.

No, it's not U.S. bases in the U.S. It's the U.S. bases in each of their countries.’

As long as the Japanese government wants them here then yes they will be here. You know that as well.

The Japanese government is very sycophantic, always tail-wagging to the U.S. government. How could it say "No" to Washington even if the majority of the nation voices opposition to a bilateral agreement? You know that and so you are confident enough to assert to the contrary.

By the way, the famous ultra-rightist novelist cum former Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara once published a book entitled "Make Japan That Can Say "No" (to the US). Just for your reference.

Does it satisfy you if I wrote the sentence as "You have never seen Japanese military personnel assigned to U.S. bases"?

Nice try, still playing with words.

No, it's not U.S. bases in the U.S. It's the U.S. bases in each of their countries.’

"Their" countries? Whose countries are you talking about? Read the post again, it's about bases in the US. Unless you think California is a part of Japan!

The Japanese government is very sycophantic, always tail-wagging to the U.S. government.

Your country, your government too! Unless you have decided to finally become a citizen of the country that gave you everything you have!

So if someone has a missile launcher pointed at your home you wouldn't feel threatened ?

Lets be realistic please.

Sigh. They are air defense missiles with a range of 50km. They are not pointed at anybody's home.

Let's be realistic please.

You have never seen Japanese military personnel on U.S. bases but lots of British, Canadian, Danish, Australian, Finnish and Dutch officers? On the basis of this fact, you want to say JSDF is not replacing USFJ? 

You said, unless I am mistaken, that JSDF is basically part of PACOM in Hawaii or that PACOM considers JSDF to be under their control. They are not. What I added is that while you do see other nation's military personnel embedded in the US military for various reasons, you do not see JSDF personnel similarly posted to the US. What I will say is that by virtue of decades of continuous training JSDF forces are pretty much interchangeable with similar US forces. They are that good. The equipment and training are best in the world, at least what I have seen with the JMSDF. Having a Japanese ship in your battle group is the same as having a US Navy ship of the same kind in your battle group. Interchangeable, plug and play.

Abroad on Japanese bases of course you have US and Japanese personnel and units working side by side. The bases belong to Japan, not the US. You notice it is "Yokota Air Base" not "Yokota Air Force Base", or "US Fleet Activities Yokosuka" rather than "US Naval Shipyard Yokosuka" The names matter because they are not US owned bases. The shipyard in Yokosuka is Japanese dating back to 1866. That huge iconic crane at Yokosuka helped build a lot of the big IJN ships the US Navy fought in WWII. The US Navy uses the shipyard and the one at Sasebo but I have seen US, Japanese and even some foreign warships in the drydocks at Yokosuka. I am not aware of any plan to replace US forces with Japanese forces in Japan. Both nations seem to be strengthening their positions there.

The U.S. military is here to stay forever no matter what. Is that what you want to say?

Nothing is forever. Silly comment. There used to be a huge NATO air base in Libya. It was called Wheelus Air Base just outside of Tripoli. It was established during WWII as part of the North Africa Campaign and remained until the former king was ousted in 1970, after which US and other NATO forces were told to leave. The US used to have huge military bases in the Philippines but in 1992 the Philippine Senate voted to require the US to leave, and they did. Now the former Naval Air Station at Cubi Point is a major FedEx hub for east Asia (a move that greatly angered the Chinese btw because China wanted that hub inside China and and it was a very public loss of face for them ). The old Clark AB outside Angeles City is now an international airport ( I can still feel the expansion joints in that runway as the C-141 accelerated for takeoff making the whole plane shake, roughest runway in the Pacific ). The former US Navy shipyard at Subic Bay is now a civilian shipyard (the US reconstituted their western pacific shipyard capability mostly in Yokosuka). The US Navy used to keep a submarine tender and floating drydock in Holy Loch Scotland to service Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines. When the current Ohio class SSBNs were commissioned with their longer range Trident Missiles the need for an SSBN facility in Scotland went away. When the last of the old shorter range Poseidon shooters was decommissioned the US Navy withdrew the sub tender and dry dock. There were Naval Air Stations in places like Kodiak Alaska that are now closed. The Cold War ended and with it the threat of Soviet Subs (Russia has an order of magnitude fewer subs than they did as the USSR). No more P-3 deployments to Shemya either. The US withdrew vast numbers of forces from Europe after the Cold War and abandoned some very big ari bases like Rhine-Main. Air bases in the Azores and Bermuda also closed. NATO forces left Iceland entirely for a couple of decades after the end of the Cold War, but after the Ukraine invasion in 2014 began to re-establish a presence there. Iceland doesn't have a military of its own and was becoming nervous so NATO air forces take turns deploying fighters to protect Iceland and P-8s to patrol the seas. If the CCP suddenly imploded and China went democratic you would probably see huge reductions in US forces in Japan.

Desert Tortoise,

The US used to have huge military bases in the Philippines but in 1992 the Philippine Senate voted to require the US to leave, and they did.

Sure, they did. Why? Because the Philippines demanded the U.S. pay more for land use. Very understandable.

Here in Japan, the story is quite different. The land is not only provided to the U.S. military free of charge, as is usually the case when a country is under occupation, but the Japanese taxpayers are obliged to shoulder more than 70 % of the maintenance cost of bases. So, will the U.S. forces that are comfortably ensconced in Japan pack up and go home in the foreseeable future?

As I said, the U.S. forces will be here to stay forever as occupation forces. The Henoko new base in Okinawa is a case in point. There is no other reason other than this why it must be built in Henoko, Okinawa. The explanation that the Henoko relocation is the only solution from a strategic point of view and to eliminate danger and noise pollution at Futenma’s current site is nothing but a farce and shenanigans.

As I said, the U.S. forces will be here to stay forever as occupation forces.

Everything you wrote after this has zero credibility. There is no occupation force in Japan.

I suggest researching things like -the Karman line ,troposphere ,stratosphere, mesophere, thermosphere, exosphere and gain an understanding of missile capabilities

I see Dr Google has added some new words to your vernacular, well done! You should also learn what a surface to air missile system, the one being deployed to Yonaguni is all about.

Yubaru,

Everything you wrote after this has zero credibility. There is no occupation force in Japan.

True, there are no U.S. occupation forces in Japan. But that is only superficial.

There has been a seamless U.S. military presence in Japan since 1945. They came here, first, as occupation forces, occupying large swathes of land for bases but had to change their name after 1951 when Japan recovered a nominal independence. But occupation forces they have been, nonetheless, because the bases and the perquisites the U.S. personnel enjoyed during the occupation remained the same and unchanged.

The Henoko relocation issue is a case in point. It signifies the occupation will keep going on hereafter, too. This is the reason why we must oppose the construction of the new base in Henoko or what you call a mere expansion of Camp Schwab by land fill.

True, there are no U.S. occupation forces in Japan.

Everything after this statement of fact is meaningless, as you admit there is no occupation force in Japan.

Apparently you don't get out much or research other sites or articles ?No need for me to back it up really.

With the recent announcement of Japan's military expansion there's alot or 'many' talking about it.

Broaden your research.

Military expansion and return to the days of the IJA are two totally different and unrelated topics.

Broaden your mind and bring it to the 21st century!

Yubaru,

Keep on reading the rest of my post. I argued that "no occupation of Japan by U.S. forces" was more apparent than real, listing the reasons why I think so. You haven't refuted my argument concretely and logically. All you said was "Nonsense", which is no different from a parting shot and a loser's whining.

 I argued that "no occupation of Japan by U.S. forces" was more apparent than real, 

This is an utterly meaningless statement.

I argued that "no occupation of Japan by U.S. forces" was more apparent than real, 

Oh one other thing, you stated the following fact

True, there are no U.S. occupation forces in Japan.

It took long enough, but at least you finally acknowledge the fact.

Yes, of course the radar station there needs some defense. I’m not so very sure if a few missiles will do, but it’s still better than nothing.

Here in Japan, the story is quite different. The land is not only provided to the U.S. military free of charge, as is usually the case when a country is under occupation, but the Japanese taxpayers are obliged to shoulder more than 70 % of the maintenance cost of bases. So, will the U.S. forces that are comfortably ensconced in Japan pack up and go home in the foreseeable future?

Doesn't matter. The Japanese Diet at this point wants US forces in Japan to deter aggression by China and Russia ( and before that the USSR ). If the Diet decides that they no longer want US forces stationed in Japan, they can vote to expel them. The US would have no recourse but to leave. I don't see it happening any time soon because I don't see the threat to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan abating any time soon. The CCP will collapse eventually but it might not be soon. Nonetheless the Diet could decide US forces have to leave and that would be the last word on the matter. US forces would leave.

As I said, the U.S. forces will be here to stay forever as occupation forces. The Henoko new base in Okinawa is a case in point. There is no other reason other than this why it must be built in Henoko, Okinawa. 

As I have reiterated here many times, the Marines don't go anywhere without their air power. Air power is integral to how they fight, and as such it becomes essential to train with that very same air power. Without an airfield and their air power the Marines have one arm tied behind their backs and a ball and chain clamped to one ankle. The airfield at Camp Schwab is about the best alternative the Marines have. Nobody, including and maybe especially you, raised any objection to placing Naha International Airport on a similar offshore landfill. It gets the aircraft out over the water away from populated areas. Same thing in Tokyo Bay. But when the Marines do it all of a sudden Voiceofokinawa goes ballistic. WTH, over?

Keep on reading the rest of my post. I argued that "no occupation of Japan by U.S. forces" was more apparent than real, listing the reasons why I think so. You haven't refuted my argument concretely and logically. All you said was "Nonsense", which is no different from a parting shot and a loser's whining

Any "occupation" is entirely in your head. There is no occupation. Okinawa is sovereign Japanese territory. Nobody including nobody in the US government or its military disputes that fact. US forces are there at the invitation of and with the permission, in fact with the active support of the Japanese government. That permission can be withdrawn at any time and US forces would leave just as equally established US forces left the Philippines when their Senate voted to boot them.

voiceofokinawaDec. 30 08:10 am JST

> The Henoko new base in Okinawa is a case in point. There is no other reason other than this why it must be built in Henoko, Okinawa. The explanation that the Henoko relocation is the only solution from a strategic point of view and to eliminate danger and noise pollution at Futenma’s current site is nothing but a farce and shenanigans.

Here we go again, the "new" base. For the last time, the base already exists. They are filling in a part of the bay to create the runway and air facilities for the 1st MAW (Marine Air Wing). You know this but you keep saying this senseless "new" word like it's the truth. Now the reality is the base relocation is needed. The expeditionary nature of the USMC requires their air support to be with the Marines. You can't have them 1500 miles away. This becomes a very large deterrent to China, along with more SAM capabilities.

Farce and shenanigans? I recall that the agreement was done between the US and Japan in 1996. But the stonewalling of every Okinawan governor (they get elected because of this) does some shenanigans to delay the construction. The Futenma Air base is in a horrible location and needs to be moved. But want to know the dirty secret that will blow your mind Voice? You think the JSDF is not going to want that base and use it, as the cleanup and destruction would take so long (Makiminato cleanup and rebuild was what, 15 years plus?).

Yubaru, I hear you.

Okinawa is sovereign Japanese territory. Nobody including nobody in the US government or its military disputes that fact. 

I want to make a correction. The CCP at least consider all of the Ryukyu Islands to be "Japanese occupied", so not everyone considers Okinawa to be sovereign Japanese territory. And therein lies one of the reasons for putting strong military forces on Okinawa. Done right they deter a war. It is vastly less costly than what happens if Okinawa appears weak and undefended to the likes of the CCP. You are a lamb facing a hungry wolf in the form of China without strong defensive forces.

Yubaru,

If you take issue with the rhetoric, here is what I said:

True, there are no U.S. occupation forces in Japan. But that is only

superficial."

The two sentences can be conflated into one, thus:

"Superficially, there are no U.S. occupation forces in Japan except

USFJ." But substantially there are, for what is now called USFJ is a

direct and seamless carryover from the erstwhile occupation forces with bases and personnel

perquisites remaining exactly the same as before.

the_sicilian,

You argue, along with poster Yubaru, that the relevant facility

now under construction in Henoko is not a new base but an expansion of the

already existing base, Camp Schwab.

Note, however, that it’s supposed to be a replacement for Futenma. But is it really a replacement for Futenma? Does Futenma have port facilities such as for berthing Wasp-class amphibious assault ships and many other innovative facilities?

Apparently, you haven’t followed my other posts. So, let me recap.

First of all, the U.S. has no legitimate right to demand a replacement be built if we wanted Futenma to be returned, for it sits on illegally confiscated private lands. Futenma is an illegal property per se, and the Marine air wing is using it like illegal squatters. So much so that it　must be returned to Okinawa immediately with no condition attached. Period.

True, there are no U.S. occupation forces in Japan

And as I have stated before, everything AFTER this statement is meaningless. This thread is not about your far fetched dreams of Utopia, with everyone barefoot, singing kumbaya around the campfire.

This is an article about the JSDF adding to the defense of Japan.

First of all, the U.S. has no legitimate right to demand a replacement be built if we wanted Futenma to be returned, for it sits on illegally confiscated private lands

Once again, stale rhetoric and wrong, as has been pointed out countless times to you, nothing is illegal about Futenma.

Oh the US is not "demanding" anything other than that the Japanese government honor their agreements.

Your post is off topic by the way.

"First of all, the U.S. has no legitimate right to demand a replacement be built if we wanted"

Once I hit "we" this ended any argument you may have had. Your feelings are not the topic. And you do not speak for Okinawa. The US presence is the greatest deterrent to any actions China make take. Now, oppose this if you like, but there's no magical Ryukyu Kingdom coming back, where the US leaves and the Okinawan's are left to their own devices.

My Okinawan family disagrees with your opinion. And that's the ones living there

Impossible to not be concerned what the Japanese military did not so long ago , or what they are attempting to plan to do !

You know little or nothing of Japanese history if you even think for a moment that things are even close to being the same.

China claiming the senkaku and a unification of Taiwan agenda isn't an announcement that China wants to take the Ryukyu kingdom back from the Japanese or outright threatening war with Japan.

That is a supremely naive statement. The instant you remove US forces from Okinawa the Chinese will move, first on Taiwan and if successful there (much easier to be successful if there are no US forces on Okinawa to shut the door on the PLAN at the first island chain) then the Chinese will come for Okinawa. I don't think you understand the sheer hatred for Japan among many if not most Chinese. They still want revenge and part of that is returning the Ryukyus to their former status as a tributary state of China.

Note, however, that it’s supposed to be a replacement for Futenma. But is it really a replacement for Futenma? Does Futenma have port facilities such as for berthing Wasp-class amphibious assault ships and many other innovative facilities?

What on Earth are you talking about? The US and JMSDF naval bases are at White Beach. It is a separate base from Futenma and isn't going anywhere.

Just because Japan renamed them okinawans after illegally annexed their country doesn't change the fact Ryukyuans aren't Japanese.

Pray tell, how are you going to differentiate between Japanese and Okinawan's today? Okinawan people are citizens of Japan, of that there is ZERO argument and outside of a few nut-cases no one wants Okinawa to be independent.