Obama, Noda discuss post-quake aid, Futenma issue

IThe Sicilian : Thanks for you words of encouragement. I am 90 years old and have cancer and a heart comdition, so I spend a lot of time at the doctors, but I will get well and I am planning on moving back to Okinawa. I love Okinawa and all the people that live there.

Marion - have missed you on here. Hope all is well with you.

Did Obama and Noda talk about other key issues in addition to post-quake aid and Futenma? If so, it would be interesting to hear what those issues were.

0 Good Bad SerranoSEP. 22, 2011 - 10:05PM JST John Putnam: "Having lived 100 yards from Futenma for about 7 years"

And you got enough shut-eye, right? So what's up with all the whiners complaining about the base noise?

Serrano, like almost everything in life you get used to it and some days are better than others. The noise can be sometimes very loud. Most days the flights did not start til after 7 am and most nights done by 8 pm and it is not every day that there are flights.

As a Marine Corps Veteran of WWII and Vietnam I do not think the motor mouthed Muslim ia qualified to even discus this problem. Give Independence to the Ryukyu Islands and allow them either agree or disagree whether the Marines should be moved.

herefornow, What do you expect the National government to do about the Prefecture government? It is the people and government of Okinawa that is preventing the construction of the new airfield. My thoughts are that the people of Japan and especially the Okinawan people, have become a little American due to close contact. What is going on today would of never happened in the old Japanese Empire. The nature of change is never known in advance and Japan is still moving forward. Thus the Futenma impasse is really a sign of change.

“Japan will do its best to solve the issue,” said Japanese spokesman Yutaka Yokoi, noting this included getting the understanding of Okinawans.

Same B.S. Japan has been shoveling ever since Hatoyama stupidly told Obama to "trust him". Doesn't Japan get it? They can't be trusted in this matter, or any others, if they can't even speak for their own people. And, Japan's "best" just isn't good enough.

the_sicilian my friend, I think you might be right but the national government talks with the USA will go nowhere without the active support of the Okinawa people. I suppose they could change the law for just Okinawa. It is how they do a lot of things but it has not been done. So either the Japanese government has to change the law or convince the Governor of Okinawa to sign off on the construction permits. I think that is where it is being held up or is it the locals preventing testing for construction? What will be done will happen it is not like the PM looks to me for guidance. It will be nice to get this over since it causes friction with our friends the Americans.

The Okinawan politicians know how much longer deny, difilcultar, disrupt, blackmail, will receive more money, simple as that. If the Russians had invaded Okinawa certainly there would be people of Okinawa have all been sent to Siberia! It is true that people of Okinawa have certainly not managed to close the wounds of war, but will the Japanese from other provinces who also suffered from the war are not as victims and the people of Okinawa?? Is it necessary for China to invade Okinawa these fools wake up to reality. is unbelievable !!!!!

John Putnam: "Having lived 100 yards from Futenma for about 7 years"

And you got enough shut-eye, right? So what's up with all the whiners complaining about the base noise?

@Yuri, you're confused if you think the national government can't tell the bumpkins down in Okinawa what to do when it comes to national security.

The Japanese would prefer the base be moved to Guam or Korea. They silently cheer on the Okinawans and wonder why the Americans think they can demand thigns on the Japanese. Americans on Okinawa try to come across as "international strategists" but they are just worried about the security of their own job and finding a way to stay on Okinawa to keep their marriage together as their Okinawan wife doesn't want to go to the states, and neither do they, even though they are the "great patriot"...

NetNinja - You are incorrect with asserting (very light word in this context) that Yuri was using the "gender card". You're wrong. She was referred to as a him, so she clarified it. And was nice about it.

Concerning Nakaima and his power, Yuri is correct about what powers he has. Unless he signs off, the construction permits are not issued and therefor no relocation.

Is it in the best interest of all, if the USMC is to stay here, to move the base. A lot of land will be given back (Naha Port, Camp Kinser, and parts of Camp Foster), but there is also a factor no one has mentioned: the land owners. They just want the status quo, so they can keep reaping the benefits of the land rent they receive.

I have fought quite a bit over the last few years with you on this Yuri, and I still believe it is best for the base to move, but I agree with you here: No Nakaima agreement on the issue equals no base movement.

smithinjapan, well I guess MCAS Futenma is going to remain open. The "replacement" facility does not really replace it. It is too expensive, too damaging to the local ecology and lacks support. I just do not see it happening, it is political reality and not my personal objections. It has been 15 years and what makes you think things will change?

Having lived until last month, 100 yards from Futenma's air base for about 7 years and working on different bases there. I have a good idea of how things are in Okinawa. Also lived on the mainland for about 2years. 5% from the US military, take a look at Naha's website and see what THEY wrote as coming from the USA. Not only the locals who have jobs on the bases will and are effective by the bases closing or downsizing, the local businesses will have impact as well. Housing is a big business, cars also. Bars and place to eat. The money that taxi cab drivers make from on and off base rides, the black market that everyones knows about and most of the time pretend it does not happen. And many more things, the list is big. I'm not for having US military bases anywhere in todays world. But certainly not paying for resort style lifes that a lot of the military enjoys on Okinawa. There was a time when you joined the military knowing that you would not make much money and you would be away from home for long periods. Now the US tax payers are footing the bill for Families to fly back and forth to countries all over the world and paying for off base housing, schools for children and all that goes along with that. Bring back the military to what it was once was and see how we can save billions in military spending. Some say we have to give more and more to the military or they will leave and go to the private sectors, Oh? Since when does Walmart pay for entire families moving to other countries, give housing allowances and tax free clothing and food? Military spending is out of control and no one seems to care or interested in how the military is run. Not all the military overseas is in a battle. Some are in the same positions and houses for yeas 12 or even longer on Okinawa and living better than most average americans do. Use the internet and than check the facts of what pops up, the central government of Japan is running everything in Japan and as mentioned in an earlier post Okinawa is part of Japan. Have a nice day!

This is definitely going to happen. The US won the war fair and square, so it gets to call the shots now in Okinawa.

YuriOtani: "Unless the Governor of Okinawa signs off on the construction, it is not going to happen."

If it does not happen guess where all the troops and military equipment will remain? RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE NOW! They're not leaving, my friend, and that's something YOU have to face. So they either stay where they are or more to a place more remote and that has already been agreed upon. Anyway, the governor will sign off on it eventually, or his replacement will.

@Jan,

All that green reminds me of a National Geographic article about Okinawa from years ago that described miles and miles of golf course fairways on the military base land. Is that green you are seeing actually the greens of private golf courses?

The article said that about a quarter of the land goes to the bases. What fraction of that fraction is for golf--anybody?

I heard the the US military on Okinawa, only supports the local economy to about 5%. Mean's if all the military would be gone tomorrow, all it takes away would be a few car dealers, coffee shops, recycle shops. Not to mention housing agents cashing in 5000$ monthly rent allowance. Which than would stop. Hopefully.

I'm half in favor of the military because if you look trough the fence it all green grass and a few buildings, in front of the fence it's a concrete dessert. Or another Jusco to be built. Whatever happens, the people of Okinawa will not benefit.

If they return the base in Naha some day - Surely big "construction-mafia-company's" already know who gets what to build more big resorts, patchinko parlors and Juscos...

If they don't it stays a green-concrete mix which is off limits to you and your dog.

noriyo - It's GSDF, not SGDF.

Actually, since relocating Futenma is going to be very expensive and both countries are basically broke, how about just keeping Futenma right where it is, and drawing down the Marines over the next 10 years or so? No good?

If Japan didn't give away its yen to foreign countries, it would not need aid from the USA. What is this, a revolving door of money? Get the USA out of Japan and let it defend itself. Isn't DEFEND one of the words in SGDF? Maybe SGDF stands for Still Grabbing Dollars of Foreigners. Don't start quoting the constitution. Follow the USA model and ignore it like George W and all his wars. Paper is worthless.

Well, Yuriko!!! I'm a girl so support me please. Go soft on me cause I'm a girl.

Well, I'm a MAN and I'm coming with the hard truth.

It's going to happen. If it doesn't happen then Futenma will sit right where it is. I say move it cause I don't want to see those Okinawans protesting outside the gates all the time. Knowing that humans are naturally lazy and fickle, I don't expect they'll make the drive out to a base moved far away from the city to whine.

I don't have issues with your opinion. Just stating a few realities and what is MOST likely to happen. Love that gender card you played though. The bad news is this, even if you did your best AKB impression it still wouldn't change the fact that Futenma in some way, shape or form is always going to be in Okinawa and the little governor there will bow down the might on Tokyo. It's not a separate country.

Under the 公有水面埋立法 (Public Water Body Reclamation Law) , the Okinawa Governor has the power to block construction of the runway. Unless this law is amended by the Japanese government, the runway cannot be built without the governor's permission.

Where did you get this information from, how the Japanese government is run by the governor's of the prefectures? You are wrong about the governor of Okinawa having the power to stop anything the central government wants to do. There are many issue to refer to to prove this, in English. You sound like a Japanese person who is local to Okinawa, native. When the USA closes down everything in Okinawa, where do the locals, who now work and get paid good money working for the bases, work? At Jusco or Union making what? 800 yen an hour to feed their family. You and a bunch of others should use common sense for the sake of the local people depending on the bases for a lively hood. Getting something first to replace the loss of jobs and income from the bases. Please

YuriOtaniSEP. 22, 2011 - 07:44AM JST Unless the Governor of Okinawa signs off on the construction, it is not going to happen. There is nothing the Government of Japan can do to make him sign it. Japan is a representational Republic and the powers and duties of the government are segregated to the different parts of it. Japan is not Russia or China or even American where the Federal Government has become much more powerful than the states. Grip complain, I wish this would go away but it is not going to happen. You can argue the governments of Japan and the USA but the Governor of Okinawa is not going to give approval. Japan and the USA needs to face political reality, the replacement facility is not going to be built. I suppose Japan or the USA can send in troops to start martial law, a really winning move. MCAS Futenma is not moving and the local population wants it closed. Too many elections have supported this fact. So the only question is if Japan and the USA will leave this open sore open?

@YuriOtani

Your post about the Okinawa Governor is correct. But are you sure Japan is a "Republic"? I always thought Japan was a constitutional monarchy?

Yuriko, I must apologize, I too was calling you "him" once. Your style of writing ... well, it's really easy to take you for a guy over the internet. My apologies.

societymike, thanks for the support! A lot of this has to do with decentralization of power following the Pacific war. Oh most people call me Yuri but my proper name is Yuriko. Also my family name has changed due to a certain event. These things happen ... anyhow what I wrote is not anti American but reality. I do not think the central government can get around the prefecture one in this case. As for noise I have given up aircraft noise for train noise and it takes some time for a mile long train to pass!

There are way too many points you posted that are incorrect NetNinja. YuriOtani is absolutely correct in his statement, like it or not.

BINGO!!! oh excuse me, Ping Pong!! Serrano.

It's going to happen. When it does happen the people of Okinawa will be happy, even if they say now they won't be, they will.

It's not so much about where the base is going to be for them. It's having to see round-eye Americans driving and walking through town freely. I'm simply leading to "Out of sight, out of mind".

When you heart is black it overrides pretty much everything common sense would tell you not to do or say.

Common Sense: Having them around brings a lot of money into our local economy includes projects for development.

Black Heart: Screw that!! I don't wanna see blond hair and blue eyes. I hate them so much I'd give up my job and my child's nest egg for their college education.

I don't think we have to worry about that now though. America's military has a higher approval rating than Barack Obama and Noda combined.

The base will get moved and Japan will do what they can to support it. Even if Okinawa doesn't approve, it's going to happen. The people of Japan.....not the media.....THE PEOPLE...the victims of 3/11 the local governments, the world has seen what it's like to have America as a friend, as an ally. Americans deep down are willing to step up in times of need and despair. We are here to stay.

*Disclaimer Petty crimes will always happen and continue cause in life there are INDIVIDUALS who are off key. It is unavoidable. Please excuse our mess. It's just spilled milk. We can clean it up.

Serrano, funny the Prefecture of Okinawa signs off on construction in Okinawa waters. The Chiba farmers are not a Prefecture Government. No construction permit, no building it is as simple as this. You are confusing a collective of farmers and the constitutionally elected Prefecture Government of Okinawa.

"Unless the Governor of Okinawa signs off on the construction, it is not going to happen"

The Chiba farmers didn't sign off on the construction of Narita Airport but it got built anyway.

Unless the Governor of Okinawa signs off on the construction, it is not going to happen. There is nothing the Government of Japan can do to make him sign it. Japan is a representational Republic and the powers and duties of the government are segregated to the different parts of it. Japan is not Russia or China or even American where the Federal Government has become much more powerful than the states. Grip complain, I wish this would go away but it is not going to happen. You can argue the governments of Japan and the USA but the Governor of Okinawa is not going to give approval. Japan and the USA needs to face political reality, the replacement facility is not going to be built. I suppose Japan or the USA can send in troops to start martial law, a really winning move. MCAS Futenma is not moving and the local population wants it closed. Too many elections have supported this fact. So the only question is if Japan and the USA will leave this open sore open?