politics

Okinawa gubernatorial election sure to show opposition to U.S. base

23 Comments

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Who will protect you Okinawan's in case of an attack by bad neighbors??? Don't be hard-headed and selfish!!! Okinawa is still the best place for U.S. military bases and you can't do anything about it especially at this time. May it be DPJ or LDP led gov't, I believe the U.S. presence in your area still remain not until J-gov't have the capability to stand on his own or perhaps you may request our gov't to built a strong military like the U.S- I guess this will not solve your problem either because whether you like it or not, a strong military presence will still be stationed in your region.

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Well Duh, if you are for the base issue here now after the Hotoyama short tenure, you don't have a chance in hell of winning squat.

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Opposing the US military bases is a requirement for running in the gubernatorial election. It is actually in the documentation that candidates have to sign and submit.

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american_bengoshi: Opposing the US military bases is a requirement for running in the gubernatorial election. It is actually in the documentation that candidates have to sign and submit."

What??? Is that really part of the requirements for running to Public Office in Okinawa even if their lives is at risk? If this is part of their law, then it must be revised!

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"His argument may be driven home by recent tension on the Korean peninsula, in particular North Korea’s artillery strike on a South Korean island on Monday, as well as worries over China’s growing military power."

Anyone who's actually opposed to having the US presence there, given what's happened and especially happening as we speak, has got to be amongst the stupidest people on the planet. Of course, I have no doubt they would say thing like, "They'll be there (where?) if we need them," or, "Guam isn't that far away if we need them", or if they are even the wee bit smarter they'll say, "Korea needs them too, so they'll be here anyway." Regardless, they're still fobbing off their responsibilities to the safety of the people for a few political points.

This might be a good time for Obama or a US general to step into the election, and say a couple of words to the people, including: "Fine, if you don't want us here, we're gone. But we're only going to help SK if North Korea attacks, not you, and we won't lift a finger if China wants to go through your waters and/or invade."

Again, complete stupidity of the local governments over the insanity of a mere handful there.

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I think the presence of American military bases in Asia is what triggers hiccups within the region. Without them, I believe Chugoku, Nihon, Kita Chosen and Kankoku can naturally develop that trust within themselves and live side by side "happily ever after"

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The Pentagon has a choice - they either cut the rhetoric of representing democracy and freedom, OR abide by the will of the people as dictated by the democratic election process. The Roman Empire had similar problems w/ critical outposts.

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"Fine, if you don't want us here, we're gone. But we're only going to help SK if North Korea attacks, not you, and we won't lift a finger if China wants to go through your waters and/or invade."

Smith, I wonder why they shouldn't have said that already. The question is why can they just say it and leave?

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Meant "can't." Sorry.

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Can you say "North Korea"? Can you say "China"? With what's going on in North Korea, I doubt U.S. military bases on Okinawa will shut down any time soon. However, if war should break out and the two Koreas should wind up kissing and making up, perhaps then, but not before that. I hear the wailing announcements right now as I'm typing this message. Let's all just be friends and do something positive for one another.

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To the Okinawans and governors; if the US military and base leaves then how do you suppose to defend yourselves from China and North Korea? With bamboo and bonsai trees? Me don't think so. I think people should give more appreciation to the US.

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The Okinawans are not advocating that all bases leave, just ground troops. In modern warfare, air and naval is essential. Many social problems will be eliminated by getting the ground troops out. ROK needs them or send them to Guam. However, as we all know, Sec Def Gates made it clear that the US determines the conditions on Okinawa.

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Proffesor. Your first post is meant to be funny, right?

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Meant to write: Proffesor, your first post was meant to be a joke, right? It's the same old tired story that will never go away until the bases do. I, for one, want to see them gone so we don't have to listen to the annual (sometimes semi-annual, sometimes even monthly) whine and woe-is-us song and dance. They are really going to be sad when one day in the future they won't be able to pin most of their problems to the bases being there.

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If I were a Okinawan, my vote's for Iha. Guam can't be too far from Japan, can it?

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US bases are absolutely necessary in Okinawa, especially in the current situation with S/N Korea and China. I know there are many people in Okinawa who are not against US bases. If Japan discuss the removal of US bases out of Japan, we also have to discuss having military so that Japan can fight independently. Moreover, the governer cannot decide the removal of US bases because this is what the government should decide.

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Well, considering that the 2 main candidates have both said NO BASE, then I guess this election may mean another 4 years of wrestling with an issue that should not be as important as other things here. Such as:

Highest unemployment in Japan No real industry or sustaining jobs, just service industry Not a real tourist destination (lots of very expensive hotels, but no attractions, other than the beach) Highest DUI rate in Japan (and yes, the Okinawans, not the Americans)

Address those issues, and I'll be impressed.

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North Korea is not a problem but China can turn into a BIG problem. Oh Americans could you crow a bit softer? the_sicilian, stop strutting on top of the manure pile and crowing. This election does not mean too much to you but it will make determinations in things other than base policy.

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Yuri-I really like how you target ALL Americans and their crowing. Once again showing your anti-US attitude. That is of course until China starts flexing their muscle. Then you start questioning the US's resolve to abide by their security agreement and PROTECT Japan. Yuri, your cake has arrived. Would you like to eat it too?

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ElJeffeEnJapon, am a simple country girl. Now the USA is on top but please will some of you soften on your condescending remarks or in other words crow softer. Am from Okinawa, sir and my ancestors were innocent. Then again the mainlanders are not responsible for the actions of their ancestors. It is a way for the Chinese government to keep peoples minds off of today's problems. You know, I am not anti-american nor anti chinese. It is my wish we can all get along tougher but some people are making that impossible.

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Been here b/4 all last week , not going too say the same all over agn...the_sicilian says it all ....to all the Libs "U can't fix STUPID" I hv many Family members there who all understand Y the Bases R there !!! take off the rose covered glasses see the real world . b/c of the POS we hv as pres. is Y this & other world dictors flexing discord ,

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Yuri: You seem to think I am happy about the situation, but I'm not. The point is you and a lot of other posters thought Okinawa could become Swiss like in the presence of the world. Peace to you meant no troops, we all love each other. Reality is you must be prepared for the worst.

And read my post again, and tell me where I am crowing? I am being matter of fact, where both Iha and Nakaima are not doing much for Okinawa other than the no base issue. All of my in-laws are Okinawan, and I get it. The economy needs help. The base plan involves a lot of land being given back so Naha (Naha port), Urasoe (Camp Kinser), and Ginowan (MCAS Futenma) get valuable land that can be developed.

But then again, the only developing here belongs to Jusco.

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If this is part of their law, then it must be revised!

What needs to be discussed for the revision, per se is the land property law, which was promulgated by the USCAR during the occupation. It has been modified several times by the J-government after 1972. To me, J-government's decision on the property law didn't seem to bring anything but disservice to local landowners and residents until today.

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