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Okinawa governor, in New York, calls opposition to base relocation people's will

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So is he staying at trump Tower or the ritz?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

No doubt he's using Okinawan Tax money -- ie. handouts for hosting the bases -- to fly over there in a private jet, wine and dine, stay in a nice hotel, and other entertainment, like his predecessor did. These guys decry the bases but sure do love the tax money they get for housing them, and love to waste it on themselves while accomplishing nothing with their personal agendas.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

Well, he could just bow down to Abe and gang and join the rank of sycophants that surround that guy. Like his predecessors, Denny decided not to. Instead he is doing what his job description outlines. He is supporting his people. Okinawans have put up with the US military for far too long. They have had enough. Okinawan politicians have complained to Tokyo, held demonstrations and Tokyo just shuts its ears and says "Wurble, wurble, wurble." In any case, Tokyo just does what its American handlers tell it to. So, Denny realises there is no point trying to communicate with people who aren’t there and has gone to the States where the orders come from in the first place.

Perhaps, in order to save money, he should hitchhike and sleep under bridges. I don't know what class of plane he is using and what hotel he is staying in, but I'd be willing to be that his budget is far less than certain LDP members.

Good luck to him. He has the support of his people.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

I am willing to bet the governor does not live in Ginowan.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The central government resumed the work earlier this month, based on the minister's decision that cited concerns that Okinawa's revocation of approval would hurt the Japan-U.S. relationship.

The central government gives two reasons why the Henoko relocation must be carried out:

(1) To reduce Okinawa's burden by relocating Futenma from a crowded city section of Ginowan to a less populated area of Henoko in Nago City; (2) deterrence must be maintain invariably in Okinawa. I've argued on other threads that these reasons are shenanigans. 

Satoshi Morimoto, a former Defense Minister and now President of Takushoku University in Tokyo, has repeatedly said that there is no strategic reason why Futenma must be relocated within Okinawa, adding it can be moved anywhere in mainland Japan or anywhere outside Okinawa. 

Now, according to the article, the Land Minister gives a third reason, citing the "concerns that Okinawa's revocation of approval would hurt the Japan-U.S. relationship." This must be the true reason why the central government is so hell-bent on carrying out this ill project of building a new base for foreign troops. They are only concerned with the sovereign U.S.'s mood, giving short shrift to the genuine welfare of their own compatriots.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Correction:

They are only concerned with the suzerain U.S.'s mood, giving short shrift to the genuine welfare of their own compatriots. Or isn’t Okinawa an integral part of Japan?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Is this the only issue ever in Okinawa?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

what kinds of souvenirs is he going to buy for himself with Okinawan tax payer money?

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

He is doing is job, give it a rest.

Maybe some of you should start doing your job as well, yet another F/A-18 crashed today in Okinawa.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Is this the only issue ever in Okinawa?

Resounding NO! Tamaki, like his predecessor, is turning out to be a one issue Gov.. Yet there are some seriously major projects that have been put on hold again, because of his recalcitrant attitude these projects will be again delayed again and again. We have some very pressing infrastructure projects that should be the issue with the assembly but they keep wasting time on the bases issues only.

The overwhelming majority of the major businesses and corporations here in Okinawa stopped backing Onaga, because he never kept his promise to hold a referendum on the base issue, and because he failed in his duties as Gov to deal with economic issues as well.

Onaga reneged on his promise (another instance of lying to the people) to hold the referendum!

Denny is following in his footsteps.

The referendum was FORCED on the assembly and Gov, from OUTSIDE Okinawa sources who gained enough signatures to bring the issue to a head!

There are other issues as well, child care, health insurance, the growing population here, construction projects and others, but none get the attention of the Gov.

Dont pay attention to the posters here who keep repeating the same old copy-pasted responses, repeating the same worn out rhetoric.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

So what did the last Anti-base governor who went to the US on taxpayer money accomplish?

Denny of all people and as a politician should know that he will accomplish by going to the US, the deal is between the US and JAPAN,and all he is doing is trying to make his followers believe he is actually going to get some results, all the other Anti-base warriors tried and also failed.

It’s all about money, power and strategy!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Mocheake,

Is this the only issue ever in Okinawa?

Yes, this is the only issue vis-a-vis the U.S. government right at this moment. Domestically, there are of course many other issues the governor must deal with, such as involving economic, financial and social infrastructures. 

To our chagrin, unlike governors hosting no U.S. bases in their backyards, the bulk of Okinawa governor's time and energy must be spent for the solution of nuisances derived from U.S. bases.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

It seems Governor Denny is just doing little by little what he promised about US military bases in Okinawa.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

He needs to make some connections in the United States and do some lobbying . Try to get a direct consultation with Trump . This is very poorly written article . Okinawa is opposed to Japan relocating U.S. air bases . Does that mean Okinawa wants to keep the bases where they are . I don't think so . As I recall reading years ago many in Okinawa wanted the bases gone altogether . I don't blame them

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Stay in Okinawa, and try to boost tourism, the bad economy, highest unemployment in Japan etc. This trip is a “Pie in the sky” attempt to gradually remove US presence. Governer Denny is out of touch with Okinawans. Bring on an election.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Consider the response..."This is the only issue" How naive does that sound to everyone?

But the reality is these politicians, first Ota, then Onaga, now Denny, and the Okinawa economy went into a tailspin and deep decade plus long recession with Ota, was marginal at best during Onaga, no thanks to him, but thanks to the business community and previous Gov that actually had some foresight to get things moving.

All the major projects everyone sees in Okinawa, ALL were thanks to previous Governors and not Onaga!

Some folks here praise Onaga as a great leader for WHAT? He accomplished nothing here expect waste tax money on trips all over the place. His is a legacy of failure!

Denny is turning out to be a carbon copy!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

He needs to make some connections in the United States and do some lobbying . Try to get a direct consultation with Trump . This is very poorly written article . Okinawa is opposed to Japan relocating U.S. air bases . Does that mean Okinawa wants to keep the bases where they are . I don't think so . As I recall reading years ago many in Okinawa wanted the bases gone altogether . I don't blame them

Governments dont work that way, the security agreement is between Japan and the US, NOT Okinawa and the US.

THe closest he will get to Trump is seeing him on TV.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Yubaru,

It seems we've come around the same question again. You say governors like Masahide Ota, Takeshi Onaga and Denny Tamaki, with backing by progressive camps, have wasted tax money for trips to Washington to appeal the reduction of this huge military footprint but to no avail.

But they aren't the only governors who made a trip to Washington to appeal the same. Conservative governors like Junji Nishime, Keiichi Inamine and Hirokazu Nakaima weren't any exceptions. It's usually the case that Okinawa governors, whatever political party they may be affiliated with, have to consume the bulk of their time and energy to deal with U.S. base issues. 

They are indeed made a fool of by U.S. bases.  Address this absurd situation, Washington!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

None of the anti-base Governors of Okinawa have done anything of merit for the people of Okinawa!

The fact is their legacy is one of failure.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yubaru,

Reduce this enormous U.S. military footprint in Okinawa even for just a bit. Show a time line for the return of the bases one by one.

For starters, promise the unconditional return of MCAS Futenma by a set date. That depends only on Washington’s instant decision to say yes. The way the U.S. side is dealing with the Futenma issue runs counter to the common sense of the majority of Okinawans.

A governor who works hard toward that end deserves our praise and high esteem.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

meanwhile that governor neglects the children in poverty, the jobless, and the people who struggle to make ends meet in a low paying service industry based economy. He is too busy jousting with windmills instead of doing the important and appropriate work like solving prefectural societal and economic issues.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

meanwhile that governor neglects the children in poverty, the jobless, and the people who struggle to make ends meet in a low paying service industry based economy. He is too busy jousting with windmills instead of doing the important and appropriate work like solving prefectural societal and economic issues.

Shh..don't say that to the anti-base folks! All they do is brush you off and start clamoring even louder trying to bury this very important fact! Watch....

1 ( +1 / -0 )

CyburneticTiger,

If you're so concerned about Okinawa's domestic politics, why don't work with us to reduce this extravagant U.S. military footprint in Okinawa so that the governor may concentrate more of his time and energy on dealing with such problems as you list up? We need help from people like you too

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

because the bases are not the cause of the problems or the problems. Okinawa’s issues are solely Okinawan and the bases are used as a cop out to avoid the fixing what’s really wrong

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Damn, Yubaru called it. The anti-base crowd has their head in the sand and let’s blind hatred from the American Administration era cloud reality. I’m glad many people 35 and younger here no longer hold those views that you have and actually want to make Okinawa better and realize the solution is not being anti base

1 ( +1 / -0 )

CyburneticTiger,

Because the bases are not the cause of the problems or the problems? They occupy large swaths of Okinawa's land mass, causing so many problems, and so local governments, prefectural or municipal, must divert much human and financial resources to deal with these problems. And you say the bases present no problems at all? LOL!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

There are 11 cities in Okinawa and roughly 30 towns and villages, and the supposition being made that huge amounts of financial resources are being diverted to deal with the military on island is pure hogwash. I would use a few stronger adjectives but they would be deleted.

I am not going to sit by here and let people get the idea that this is a fact, in plain and simple terms, this is NOT the reality nor a fact here.

People can look at a map, and all they will see is the outlines of the bases and be lulled into believing that these things are "true" yet if they come here, they will see for themselves the reality is 100% different!

Not to mention the FACT that once the facilities at Schwab are completed the bases, Kinser, Foster, Naha, and of course MCAS Futenma will all be returned to Japanese control once again, and the base "footprint" will drop to somewhere under 10%. Close to a 50% drop over current use.

Not to mention that the remaining facilities will be relatively far from any large communities as well.

The future in Okinawa will be much brighter when Henoko is finished.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yubaru,

You and CyburneticTiger blame Gov. Tamaki for his visit to the U.S. to appeal a reduction of this huge military footprint, saying it's a waste of taxpayers' money. In New York he met with the UN Undersecretary General, Izumi Nakamitsu, and suggested the UN make Okinawa and surrounding waters a neutral buffer zone for peace and security.

That's a good idea to reduce this huge U.S. military footprint. But it's certain that the U.S. will oppose such an idea outright, because the U.S. wants to keep Okinawa forever as a military bastion for whatever reason, maybe, out of greed. All these strings attached to the return of MCAS Futenma must be considered in this vein.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Lets all never forget that the military footprint WILL be greatly reduced when Schwab is finished!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Voice,

-Explain how the US bases cause high unemployment in Okinawa.

-Explain how there is higher poverty only in Okinawa and no where else in Japan with US bases

-Demonstrate how its the presence of the bases and not the tourism/service based economy that are the cause of the Okinawan people's financial hardships.

-Explain how it the presence of US bases that lead to a higher DUI rate, crime rate, and pollution when its statistically demonstrated that the contribution to these things by US personnel on island are proportionally lower than their Okinawan counterparts?

Explain how by focusing on the base issues the prefectural government is doing anything attract better paying jobs, elevate the economy to more advanced industries, and improve standard of living within Okinawa. The bases are not the cause of those problems and there's not one shred of evidence to support that it is caused by the bases. Just your conjecture and wishful thinking. 

As Yubaru has pointe out on several occasions. The only true impediement to base reduction in Okinawa is the stonewalling on completing the MCAS Futenma relocation to Camp Schwab via the extension on reclaimed land.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

When anyone discusses this issue and talks in absolutes there is no reasoning with them. You either MUST agree with them or you are wrong. This issue is NOT about absolutes, it's about negotiation, and so far not one of the anti-base governors has been able to comprehend that point.

Visiting a UN diplomat, ok, but the only reason he got seen is that she happened to be Japanese and paid him a courtesy. Of course his ideas are altruistic and fine in a perfect world, but of course we all know differently.

He can't negotiate, Onaga couldnt negotiate, neither could Ota, and Okinawa suffered greatly. They deserve no praise, no support, for their FAILURE!

If they were monks on a mission I could praise them for their attempts, but they are NOT, they are politicians and politicians elected MUST look after their entire constituency and not just focus on one part.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

CyburneticTiger,

-Explain how the US bases cause high unemployment in Okinawa.

Has anyone here said "the U.S. bases cause high unemployment in Okinawa" and so urged the U.S. military authorities to employ more of Okinawa youth to address the situation? Nonsense.

Unlike in the past, especially before 1972, Okinawa's dependence on base revenues has been reduced tremendously. Around 1973, one year after the reversion, Okinawa's base economy accounted for 15.5%, but it's 5.3% today 

Cf: (https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/kikaku/chosei/kikaku/yokuarubeigunkichiandokinawakeizai.html .

Take a look at Naha' new town called Omoromachi, Ginowan's Mihama commercial & residential district, and the Eon Shopping Mall in Kitanakagusuku. The areas used to be U.S. military facilities, that is, Naha's new town was used as a housing area for the families of U.S. service members, Mihama as the U.S. Army's airfield for light aircraft and EON as a golf course. They're all thriving business districts today employing thousands of proud young people.

Hence, a hitherto unheard-of comment is often heard from even conservative business circles: U.S. bases are hindrance to economic development.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Providing false and misleading information is the downfall of any argument, Mihama is a landfill, plain and simple, never was military. The area to the direct south of it, Hanby town, is a cluster of apartments, beach side restaurants and shops, and a smaller sized san ei that is no longer a popular location. That area was military. It used to be the popular spot UNTIL Mihama was built.

It was the Hanby Airfield and it was returned in the late 70's and construction there started in the mid to late 80's, The Mihama landfill started in the late 80's!

Again Mihama never was and never has been a military installation, it was water!

Also Those areas are thriving because of their location, with the exception of hanby town, and those are the areas where the bases will be returned when futnema moves to schwab. And the areas will get more area for expansion when Futenma closes!

Funny how people make the argument for you when they are discussing this issue.

And it's AEON, formerly JUSCO.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Look at the beach Mhama area as it was originally; a shallow reef with a small port for local fishing ports.

http://www.japanupdate.com/2014/07/chatan-is-okinawas-americanized-town/

No one today confuses the difference between Mihama and Hanby and they never have before either, as Mihama never existed!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yubaru,

You're only nitpicking. 

Do you find any fault with my statements about the other former U.S. facilities, Naha's Omoromachi and the AEON Mall in Kitanakagusku? Rather than pointing out someone’s writing as inaccurate, you should prove that U.S. bases contribute to Okinawa's economy in a substantial way. That's the main point you should focus on in your counterargument.

But thanks for introducing me to the vintage pictures showing Chatan Town’s former coastline.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Voice the Self-feeding, never give up, never surrender, expert, flooder, of Okinawa.

Keep going guy! You da' man!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That's a good idea to reduce this huge U.S. military footprint. But it's certain that the U.S. will oppose such an idea outright, because the U.S. wants to keep Okinawa forever as a military bastion for whatever reason, maybe, out of greed. All these strings attached to the return of MCAS Futenma must be considered in this vein.

And here's the reason I quit responding to this poster over a year ago - he can't get past his hatred of the US and engage in any type of reality-based dialogue.  He uses terms like "occupation", criminal", "gangster-like", etc., that clearly show he merely is here to advance his anti-US agenda.

People who really want to help the people of Okinawa and decrease the US military footprint support the 2006 Alliance Transformation and Realignment Agreement that will close Futenma, Kinser, and major parts of Foster along the Route 58 corridor and return these to the local governments for development. 

In turn, Camp Schwab will be extended, though the actual footage and the runway will be much smaller than that of Futenma.  It will be off-shore so approach and departure zones are over mostly water. 

Yet the Onaga and now Tamaki administrations are fighting this tooth and nail.  Why?  As had been alluded to above, you can't demagogue unemployment, out of wedlock births, high school drop out rates, or the highest number of DUIs in all Japan.  It's much easier to rail against the US bases to leverage votes for an election - and with all politicians everywhere, re-election is priority #1. The clearly anti-US media and academics on the island also push this narrative, for their own reasons; primarily money and  self-importance.

It's unfortunate, and the victims are the people of Okinawa who could have had Futenma, Kinser, and Foster returned years ago, with schools, factories, and commercial/retail areas built on that land.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Fundamentally your argument is flawed Voice because they don’t bring new higher paying industry to Okinawa Okinawa sees very little revenue from the shopping centers in Omoromachi, Chatan (Hanby/Mihama), and Aeon Kitanakagusku. Most of the flow goes right back up to Aeon Kyushu and San E. The only thing Okinawa has seen is an influx of more minimum wage jobs that do absolutely nothing to boost the economy. The best move was a GOJ push to use the returned West Futenma housing to build a medical research facility that is currently in work. If the OPG would get their head out of the sand and stop fighting relocation of Futenma to Camp Schwab the southern camps would be closed and they’d have a chance to redeem themselves and use the opportunity to attract industries that actually pay good wages to workers.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Do you understand that there is no real upward financial mobility for people in Okinawa and it’s causing most it’s young educated to move to mainland for sensible employment? Do you realize that fixing this is the role of the Governor and nothing has been done to fix this problem. It’s a problem exponentially more serious than building an extension to an existing base to close down several others and move 9000 Americans off the island.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And here's the reason I quit responding to this poster over a year ago - he can't get past his hatred of the US and engage in any type of reality-based dialogue. He uses terms like "occupation", criminal", "gangster-like", etc., that clearly show he merely is here to advance his anti-US agenda.

I stopped for a while as well, and one poster made the comment; the gist being, if people stop replying to his nonsense then folks are going to read what he writes and get the idea that it's true.

Yet the Onaga and now Tamaki administrations are fighting this tooth and nail. Why? As had been alluded to above, you can't demagogue unemployment, out of wedlock births, high school drop out rates, or the highest number of DUIs in all Japan. It's much easier to rail against the US bases to leverage votes for an election - and with all politicians everywhere, re-election is priority #1. The clearly anti-US media and academics on the island also push this narrative, for their own reasons; primarily money and self-importance.

Quite so, yet all they have done is take a page from the PM's playbook, not just Abe but all the previous LDP PM's as well. Raise taxes, soften the blow with 10,000 gift certificates, economy in a funk, make it look like they are spending money for the benefit of the people, just how many "stimulus packages" now? You get the idea, and as you noted, focus on the US military as being the devil incarnate, blow up every incident to outlandish proportions, refuse to acknowledge to good that many in the military do for the people of Okinawa and keep shoveling the guano.

> It's unfortunate, and the victims are the people of Okinawa who could have had Futenma, Kinser, and Foster returned years ago, with schools, factories, and commercial/retail areas built on that land.

Perfect example, the new San Ei/Parco mall, going to be bigger than Rycomm, on the west side of Kinser. Never would have had to build the bridge (destroy more marine environment) around Kinser. Another behemoth mall that will create all sorts of jobs..............at 800 yen per hour! And the anti-base folks only talk aboout one thing.

Then can not get into the discussion about the economy.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Most of the flow goes right back up to Aeon Kyushu and San E. The only thing Okinawa has seen is an influx of more minimum wage jobs that do absolutely nothing to boost the economy. 

An aside here and to add to this well said comment; There used to be a supermarket chain here called King Store, it's headquarters were in Haebaru, Ichinichibashi, they were bought out by JUSCO and when JUSCO started rebranding itself and restructured their corporation JUSCO here became Ryukyu Aeon. Ryukyu AEON is a subsidiary company of AEON and has been swallowed up for the most part by Kyushu Aeon, where the profits flow back to.

Rycomm was built by Kyushu Aeon and Ryukyu AEON is a tenant running the supermarket and department store. There are a number of MaxValue Supermarkets on island now that were built by the same Kyushu AEON and the Ryukyu AEON is the tenant, meaning that all the lower end jobs are for Okinawa, and the management postions, Kyushu and above.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Okinawa will always be like this until it manages to fix the problems in the education system, and society as well.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

lincolnman,

You quote a passage from my post but, instead of commenting on that, you reminisce a long-forgotten question I posed to you a year ago and explain why you did quit answering the question.

You say I “can't get past my hatred of the US and engage in any type of reality-based dialogue.” You also say I “use terms like 'occupation", criminal', 'gangster-like', etc., that clearly show he merely is here to advance his anti-US agenda."

Probably, the question I asked you was this:

Why is it necessary to build a new base in Henoko, supposedly a replacement for USMC Air Station Futenma, (1) when the most active elements of Okinawa-deployed Marines are able to be relocated to Guam, leaving only support and command units in Okinawa; (2) when it was bilaterally agreed that primary responsibility to deal with contingencies involving territorial disputes rests with JSDF and not with USFJ,

Satoshi Morimoto, a former Defense Minister and now the President of Takushoku University, told a news conference immediately before his stint expired that there was no reason why Futenma's function must be naintained in Okinawa. It could be moved anywhere in mainland Japan or to any place abroad. 

I'm interested in hearing your opinion on it. But above all I'm interested in hearing your response to Gov. Tamaki's proposal at the UN headquarters that Okinawa be made a buffer zone for the peace and security of this region.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

when it was bilaterally agreed that primary responsibility to deal with contingencies involving territorial disputes rests with JSDF and not with USFJ,

By the way, just because the "primary" responsibility lies with the JSDF does not automatically take the USJF out of the equation, they work as team.

Having USFJ here makes the job of the JSDF much easier as well. Also if you pay any attention at all to the news, the JSDF is in fact doing it's job as the "primary".

Also having USFJ here keeps other countries in the region in check, while they"other countries" will tweek the noses of the Japanese, they are not going to risk anything truly serious while the US has bases here that can strike back offensively, where the JSDF can not!

Do you understand the concept of teamwork?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yubaru,

... just because the "primary" responsibility lies with the JSDF does not automatically take the USJF out of the equation, they work as team.

They may work as a team as you say, but there's no guarantee the USFJ always work the JSDF, That's up to the U.S. side to decide.

Look at the hard reality that Japanese taxpayers including us Okinawans are obliged to provide so many bases and areas with the USFJ for free Not only that but also the bulk of base maintenance costs they have to shoulder. Isn't that unfair and sophistry?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yubaru,

... just because the "primary" responsibility lies with the JSDF does not automatically take the USJF out of the equation, they work as team.

They may work as a team as you say, but there's no guarantee the USFJ always work the JSDF, That's up to the U.S. side to decide.

Look at the hard reality that Japanese taxpayers including us Okinawans are obliged to provide so many bases with the USFJ for free Not only that but also the bulk of base maintenance costs they have to shoulder. Isn't that unfair and sophistry?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

They may work as a team as you say, but there's no guarantee the USFJ always work the JSDF, That's up to the U.S. side to decide.

Not an answer and doesnt matter right now, just stated a fact, that you must accept!

Look at the hard reality that Japanese taxpayers including us Okinawans are obliged to provide so many bases and areas with the USFJ for free Not only that but also the bulk of base maintenance costs they have to shoulder. Isn't that unfair and sophistry?

Again, you play games with facts, it's not "free" and you as a foreigner here pay the same taxes as all of us, if you dont like it, you have options. You must accept that as well.

They are paying, arguably fair or otherwise, for the defense of Japan, which they do not have to pay for themselves.

They are getting off cheaply if Trump, the Commander-in-Chief is to be believed!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yubaru,

Not an answer and doesn’t matter right now, just stated a fact, that you must accept!

What's your logical basis on which to declare this is not an answer and demand that I accept the reality?

Again, you play games with facts, it's not "free" and you as a foreigner here pay the same taxes as all of us, if you don’t like it, you have options. You must accept that as well.

I play games with facts again and again? How? What are those facts for you? The exorbitant U.S. military presence in Okinawa has continued for over 73 years since the end of World War II. There's no end in sight of it in the near future, so that this military presence, including during the actual occupation in early years and during the treaty-guaranteed carry-over period in later years, can be called a virtual occupation because the bases have remained intat and so has  the U.S.  military presence. We're appealing this abnormal situation to be addressed by eliminating bases one by one , for starters, by returning MCAS Futenma unconditionally.

Thus, successive Okinawa governors have visited Washington so many times to appeal to address this abnormality, only to meet a stonewalling attitude on the part of Washington's Japan desk.

Am I playing games with facts?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Am I playing games with facts?

Simple answer, yes you are. You must accept the fact that you distort them for your own anti-marine purposes.

Thus, successive Okinawa governors have visited Washington so many times to appeal to address this abnormality, only to meet a stonewalling attitude on the part of Washington's Japan desk.

And rightfully so too, as you must also accept the fact that the issue is between Japan and the US not the US and Okinawa.

The exorbitant U.S. military presence in Okinawa has continued for over 73 years since the end of World War II. There's no end in sight of it in the near future, so that this military presence, including during the actual occupation in early years and during the treaty-guaranteed carry-over period in later years, can be called a virtual occupation because the bases have remained intat and so has the U.S. military presence. We're appealing this abnormal situation to be addressed by eliminating bases one by one , for starters, by returning MCAS Futenma unconditionally.

And finally you MUST accept the fact that you again distort the reality of TODAY and seem to be thinking this is the 1960's.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yubaru,

Simple answer, yes you are. You must accept the fact that you distort them for your own anti-marine purposes.

I'm not distorting the fact. I'm simply asking this fact must be rectified. And what is this fact? It is that the U.S. has been maintaining its military for over 73 years since the end of World War II and seems to maintain the status quo indefinitely. Am I distorting the fact? Please point it out if I do.

And finally you MUST accept the fact that you again distort the reality of TODAY and seem to be thinking this is the 1960's.

Can you tell us to accept this fact, the status quo, obediently without complaining at all? What a happy mind-set!

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Can you tell us to accept this fact, the status quo, obediently without complaining at all? What a happy mind-set!

I am not telling "us",

I am tell you that must somehow bring yourself into the 20th century! Other than your opinions here, you are not a part of what is going on in Okinawa, that is the extent of your participation in the process. and if you think that the status quo is continuing on after all these years you are confirming the fact that you are thinking we are living in the 60's or before.

It's sad that you can not accept the fact that things here have changed dramatically over the past 70 years and will continue to change as well when the construction is finished.

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Yubaru,

I am not telling "us",

I'm not alone complaining about Okinawa's current state of affairs. The majority of Okinawans are with me and therefore it's nothing wrong to use the first-person plural pronoun "us" here. In other words,WE are urging the U.S. to reduce this exorbitant military footprint in Okinawa.

But you're demanding us, like a proconsul in the colonial era, to accept the status quo of Okinawa as a U.S. military bastion, or let's say a military colony, that has been going on since the end of World War II and may keep going on into the future with no end in sight.

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