politics

Okinawans urge Japanese, U.S. gov'ts to scrap base relocation plan

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My brother and cousin arrived a couple of weeks ago for a visit. They told me that it is illegal to sell products made from coral in the U.K. The proposed new base in Henoko would destroy huge coral beds and probably render extinct the last few remaining Okinawan dugong. This project would massively disrupt the natural environment, all for no purpose whatsoever.

Okinawans have spoken. The US military need to find another place to build their superbase if they absolutely must have one. And they need to find another mug to pay for it. Japan can't afford it.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

They do not like Americans as well as Japanese. Independence from Japan is the only way left for them.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I fully 100% support an independent Okinawa. Singapore and Hong Kong are good good examples of how it will be very successful.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Lie in the bed you make.

It stays in Futenma then.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

@goodlucktoyou

I fully 100% support an independent Okinawa. Singapore and Hong Kong are good good examples of how it will be very successful.

You don’t appear to have given any thought to your comment. Both the examples you mentioned bare absolutely no resemblance to Okinawa and it’s people. Both Singapore and Hong Kong were administered and developed by Great Britain. Their schooling was British based and everyone speaks english. Okinawa aversion and fear of everything foreign, like the rest of Japan, makes it the least likely candidate for what you are suggesting. Under independence they would simply be another back water Typhoon beaten volcanic island in the middle of nowhere with no support from Japan. I am afraid they would simply disappear into obscurity and be continually fighting off claims from China that historically it belongs to them.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

"It is an issue not just for Okinawa but for Japan as a whole," Jinshiro Motoyama, a civic group leader, said.

One question for you, can we move Futenma to your backyard? Bet that changes your opinion right quick!

If you really think its an issue for the whole country, then find a place for Futenma to move to! Otherwise, keep your mouth shut, your just stirring the pot!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I fully 100% support an independent Okinawa. Singapore and Hong Kong are good good examples of how it will be very successful.

Independent? Last time I checked Hong Kong was a British colony and returned to Chinese control and is not independent.

Two, Singapore....you ever actually been there? Singapore and Okinawa just can not be compared, the differences are so obvious as are the reasons why it's a ludicrous comparison.

Oh and you can have you opinion but for us who live here, we DO NOT WANT independence, I wish people would quit suggesting it or event contemplating it, it's annoying at best, and just showing TOTAL ignorance of reality!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

My brother and cousin arrived a couple of weeks ago for a visit. They told me that it is illegal to sell products made from coral in the U.K. 

Which has nothing to do with things here. Go to Naha Shopping center, coral goods are very popular and quite expensive too.

The proposed new base in Henoko would destroy huge coral beds and probably render extinct the last few remaining Okinawan dugong. This project would massively disrupt the natural environment, all for no purpose whatsoever.

So do or did the New Ishigaki Airport, Naha, AIrport, Mihama, Nishizaki, Shiozaki, Toyosaki, Agarisaki, Awase, Hentona, landfills and lord knows where else.

Get off your high horse, you turn a blind eye to all the other environmental destruction that is going on or has gone on, and choose to talk about one location only.

You and everyone else that talks about it from an environmental point are pure hypocrites. Get the forest out of your own eyes before looking for the splinter!

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I do not care Okinawa get independent and U.S. Forces withdraw from Okinawa and Okinawa may get closer to China. Mainland Japan will have to accept U.S. Forces from Okinawa under the current security treaty. But all the prefectures will oppose accepting them. Then, for the first time after the war, Japanese people will have to think seriously defending the country by ourselves changing the peace constitution.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

A rally of thousands of Okinawa residents on Saturday urged the Japanese and U.S. governments to scrap a plan to construct additional runways on a pre-existing base to help facilitate the closure of Futenma base and move of thousands of marines from the southern prefecture.

There. Fixed that for you.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The central government has said the relocation plan is the "only solution" for eliminating the dangers posed by the Futenma base without undermining the deterrence provided by the Japan-U.S. security alliance.

The shamefully subservient Japanese government keeps saying the relocation plan is the only solution for the Futenma issue despite Okinawa's vigorous opposition as demonstrated in rally after rally, poll after poll, and election after election.

If Abe says Japan is a great democracy sharing democratic values with the U.S., he can frakly tell Trump that the current relocation plan is too problematic and must be shelved because of a strong local voice against it. 

But his government keeps repeating the same old mantra that Henoko is the "only solution," oftentimes adding that the bilateral relationship is very important. Translate: we must not raise the U.S's hackles by opposing it and so we must do as they instruct.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Okinawa demonstrates in a most condensed form that Japan is a U.S. vassal that has been seamlessly occupied by U.S. forces since the Occupation. The Japan-U.S. Security Treaty is only a facade to hide this hard reality.

Anyone who realizes this shenanigans, whether he is a mainlander or not, will oppose the Henoko relocation plan, taking it not as a small, local issue but Japan as a whole's serious issue.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Not gonna happen. Time to move on.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I've been arguing on various threads that the relocation plan is a sheer white elephant in terms of cost and deterrence.  If so, moving Futenma's function anywhere in Japan, whether it's to Henoko or Ibaraki, is absolutely nonsense.

Take it to California with the relocation cost solely borne by the U.S., where Ospreys and other aircraft can freely conduct their flight training day and night without inflicting any environmental damage to civilian sectors.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The protesters adopted a resolution demanding the two governments abolish the plan to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from a crowded residential area of Ginowan to the less densely populated coastal area of Henoko in Nago.

> Many local residents have long been frustrated with noise, accidents and crimes resulting from the heavy concentration of U.S. military bases in Okinawa and want the Futenma base to be moved outside of the prefecture.

> In the prefectural referendum on Feb 24, some 72 percent of the total voters rejected the relocation plan.

Got it, so the Okinawans want their suffering to needlessly continue

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

sd2k,

Unless our demand is met, your property won't be returned, says a hooligan. Is that what you're saying – blatantly intimidating us?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Following a local referendum last month that showed just over 35 percent opposed the transfer plan, some 10,000 people gathered at a park in the prefectural capital of Naha, according to the organizer of the rally.

There. Fixed that one as well. This vocal minority needs to stop being thier own worst enemy and accept compromise.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The sacred voices of the Ryukyuan people have clearly spoken.

It's time for democratic USA and Japan to stop making Okinawa the Crimea of Asia.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Dukeleto

Under independence they would simply be another back water Typhoon beaten volcanic island in the middle of nowhere with no support from Japan

Ryukyu Kingdom was doing fine until the Japanese imperialists came and occupied the islands.

The Republic of Ryukyu will do fine after independence, mark my word on it.

@voiceofokinawa

Independence is the only way to kick the US troops out of Okinawa.

Hence the discussion should no longer be about relocating the Futenma US base to Henoko, but the independence referendum.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Ryukyu Kingdom was doing fine until the Japanese imperialists came and occupied the islands.

The Republic of Ryukyu will do fine after independence, mark my word on it.

You really need to do a little bit of research before making blanket statements like this! We don't go out trading for trinkets in wooden boats you know. We actually wear shoes too!

It's the 21st Century!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

These protesters are not a vocal minority, as you say. These people gathered there on a very short notice. Behind them are 871,000 anti-Henoko Okinawans (72%) out of the total 1,100,000 electorate.

Look at how the election results get twisted around in a down right lie to make a point!

Total number of eligible voters in Okinawa ; 1,153,591

Number who actually voted; 605,385

Number who opposed: 434,273 or 72.15% of the number of votes tallied

Number who support; 114,933 or 19.10% of the number of votes tallied

Number who had no opinion either way; 52,682 or 8.75% of the votes talled

Which means that only about 1/3 of Okinawans are "anti-landfill construction" and not ant-Henoko.

If your position is so strong, there is no need to lie about the numbers!

2/3rds of Okinawan voters are either for the landfill construction, have no opinion either way, or are apathetic to the situation because they did not vote.

That is far, far, far, from an overwhelming majority of Okinawan's who are "against" the landfill project as you keep claiming.

The overwhelming majority of Okinawan's dont care!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Samit Basu,

Independence is the only way to kick the US troops out of Okinawa.

Don't put these words in my mouth.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Don't put these words in my mouth.

Your response here suggests that you yourself see a viable place for the US military here in Japan, funny too that you of all people would make a comment like this, as you are well known for doing the same.

Otherwise there is no need to protest the comment. Unless you dont want to see an independent Okinawa, and you see it as being a ludicrous idea as well!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

If you really think its an issue for the whole country, then find a place for Futenma to move to! 

The US has a huge landmass of its own that it can plant any number of runways and nuclear weapons storage tanks on. Surely all those patriotic merkans would welcome them with glee joy and patriotic fervour. Or more likely, fervor.

another back water Typhoon beaten volcanic island in the middle of nowhere 

I'd always thought of Okinawa as a series of coral-based islands, but by gum yes, the prefecture is indeed dotted with volcanoes. Yer learn sumthin every day.

So, two out of four? Not bad, but no prize. Maybe a clip round the ear for the intended insult.

2/3rds of Okinawan voters are either for the landfill construction, have no opinion either way, or are apathetic to the situation because they did not vote.

Or didn't see any point in voting given that the vote was non-binding and guaranteed to be ignored by the Japanese government.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The US has a huge landmass of its own that it can plant any number of runways and nuclear weapons storage tanks on. Surely all those patriotic merkans would welcome them with glee joy and patriotic fervour. Or more likely, fervor.

You obfuscate the issue by making comments like this. There are no nuclear weapons on US military bases in Japan.

I'd always thought of Okinawa as a series of coral-based islands, but by gum yes, the prefecture is indeed dotted with volcanoes. Yer learn sumthin every day.

So, two out of four? Not bad, but no prize. Maybe a clip round the ear for the intended insult.

Yeah well, I gotta agree with this, ignorance comes in many forms!

Or didn't see any point in voting given that the vote was non-binding and guaranteed to be ignored by the Japanese government.

True, but if you had been here in the lead-up campaigning prior to the referendum you would have thought it was the end of the world scenario if people didnt vote. Millions upon millions was spent to get out the vote, and contrary to an actual election, there were people screaming out about voting against it, even on the day of the referendum.

You reinforce my point about the majority here being apathetic to the bases, and this referendum proves it and you also unwittingly support my contentions as well, thank you!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I do not think any Japanese leaders including abe dares.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yubaru,

You obfuscate the issue by making comments like this. There are no nuclear weapons on US military bases in Japan.

You speak confidently here as if you were in a position charged with the U.S. military strategy. But do you know there's a secret agreement between the two governments to the effect that the U.S. can bring in nuclear arsenal to Okinawa whenever needed? 

Former Prime Minister Eisaku Sato had secretly given then U.S. President Richard Nixon a consent ahead of Okinawa reversion in 1972 for the U.S. to be able bring in nuclear weapons to Okinawa, the fact that came to open light only recently. (See the Aug. 14, 2017 Japan Times.) But this has been an open secret in Japan for a long time.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You speak confidently here as if you were in a position charged with the U.S. military strategy. But do you know there's a secret agreement between the two governments to the effect that the U.S. can bring in nuclear arsenal to Okinawa whenever needed? 

Anyone who knows anything about the US military knows the US neither admits nor denies if it's warships carry nuclear weapons, when it seems that "everyone" knows they do.

Your contention is the same, but there are NO nuclear weapons on US Marine bases.

Oh, and the majority of Okinawan's dont seem to care!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yubaru,

Anyone who knows anything about the US military knows the US neither admits nor denies if it's warships carry nuclear weapons, when it seems that "everyone" knows they do.

If it's the U.S. policy not to say whether there's nuclear weapons in Okinawa or not, why can you say "[t]here are no nuclear weapons on US military bases in Japan" as if you knew it all?

Besides, aren't nuclear carriers based in Yokosuka and nuclear submarines that make port calls to the White Beach Naval Port in Okinawa from time to time nuclear arsenal? Are you also sure they don't carry nuclear weapons anytime at all?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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