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Gov't to delay landfill for U.S. base transfer in Okinawa

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Perhaps Okinawa is tired of playing the Occuppied Country that it has played since the end of World War II. Having foreign troops for seventy years can get tiresome. I was there in 1966 as a Marine and I have no problem seeing why they might be rather tired of US troops. Why not let the rest of Japan share the wear and tear for a change. Okinawa suffered one of the worst single battles of the war, and they never wanted to be part of Japan either.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Oh, let's not forget the hypocritical responses of the Okinawan government here, they willingly destroy the coral reef to build an additional runway at Naha AP

While I disagree with the decision to build a second runway at Naha airport it is a completely different situation and it is demagoguery to lump those two environmentally destructive projects together.

The Naha airport project is a decision that Okinawan citizens in one or another way had a say on, but the decision to built a complete new US military facility in Henoko is being forced on the Okinawan people clearly against their will and clearly without regard to an equal burden amongst regions.

Economic development is more often than not environmentally destructive, but if the people concerned decide on the basis of proper information that they want to sacrifice a part of their nature for economic gain then this is a normal democratic process happening in all democratic nations. When a central government without regard for the will of the people forces a project onto a prefectures citizens it is simply anti-democratic and against basic human values.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

econstats,

The bulk of U.S. bases planted in Okinawa are Marine bases. Since you are so assertive, you must show your evidence that they must be maintained in Okinawa by all means even though the most active elements of the Marines are to move to Guam, leaving only supports units behind in Okinawa. Tokyo and Washington also struck a deal two years ago to the effect that the primary responsibility for defending Japan's borders rests with the SDF and not with the USFJ. 

Under such circumstances, can you still claim these Marine bases are needed in Okinawa "to protect Japan and Taiwan from China? Show your evidence.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

econstats:

Are these incidents the reason why Futenma's relocation to Henoko is a must for deterrence? Are these incidents the reason why the Marines must horn their jungle warfare skills at the Jungle Warfare Training Center in northern Okinawa? Are these incidents the reason why the most active elements of the Marines deployed in Okinawa must be relocated to Guam? Are these incidents the reason why Tokyo and Washington struck a deal stipulating primary responsibility to deal with territorial issues with China rests with Japan's SDF, not USFJ?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Yubaru,

You volunteer to give helping hands to econstats to answer the questions I posed to him. But all you do is do nothing but name-calling, give no reasonable argument. 

OK, then, I ask you answer why all these training bases of the Marines are needed in Okinawa when the most active elements of them are to move to Guam, leaving only support units behind. Econstats says it's because "China is the enemy" and therefore that those Marine bases are needed for deterrence against China. If so, why did Tokyo and Washington struck a deal stipulating that primary responsibility to defend Japan's territories rests with the JSDF, not the USFJ?

Under such circumstances, what's the use of maintaining the Marine bases in Okinawa?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Yubaru,

You say I've been given the answer to these questions a hundred times? Where on earth did you give the answer?

Once on another thread I insisted on asking you a similar question but do you remember what you said? You said I have no right to order you to do this or that, adding, "Only my mom has such a right"!!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Why is the Abe government so intent on forcing ahead with the reclamation of waters off the Henoko coast? The answer, according to the article, is that "the relocation of the Futenma base is the only solution for removing the dangers it poses (to the densely populated area in Ginowan City) without undermining the perceived deterrence provided by American troops," that is, the U.S. Marines.

I've argued on other threads that this explanation by the central government is nothing but shenanigans, questioning why the most active elements of the Marines are slated to move to Guam and why Tokyo and Washington struck a deal to the effect that the primary responsibility for defending Japan's borders rests with the SDF and not with the USFJ.

The Abe government is apparently acting on the home-made principle of "sontaku" without a doubt, that is, to please and placate master Washington. But Washington is acting on the Trump-initiated "America first" principle with no regard to Abe's tail wagging.  Look at exorbitant tariffs the Trump government is to impose on imported steel and aluminum, including ones from Japan.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

At a war memorial service June 23 last year, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave a eulogy in which he acknowledged that Okinawa’s base-hosting burden is very heavy, adding that he will do his best to address this situation.

At a war memorial service June 23 last year, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave a eulogy in which he acknowledged that Okinawa’s base-hosting burden is very heavy, adding that he will do his best to address this situation.

In 2017 The U.S. returned about half the area of the Jungle Warfare Training Center in northern Okinawa, on the condition, appended post diem, that six landing and takeoff facilities for Ospreys must be built in the remaining half. The U.S. has promised the return of the Futenma air atation on condition that its replacement be built at Henoko. The U.S. will return some base land south of Kadena on condition that the base at Henoko is completed.

We have been told time and time again that the condition for Futenma’s return will be the completion of its replacement at Henoko. But it turned out recently that Futenma won’t be returned unless another condition is also met: that is, the marines must be guaranteed right to free use of a commercial airport with a 2,800-meter runway, the length of Futenma's runway. Does it mean the U.S. has a strong desire for Naha Airport, where a second runway is under construction right now off its coast?

Looking at this state of affairs, one cannot help but feel that Abe is simply carrying out what Washington wants him to do, making these “returns” appear to be the fruit of his efforts.

Britain returned sovereignty over Hong Kong unconditionally after its 99-year “lease” expired in 1997. Can the U.S. follow suit and return all the bases in Okinawa in 2044 with no strings attached? Judging from what the U.S. military is doing, it’s apparent that they are maneuvering to retain their vested interests (bases) forever.

Abe is unscrupulously colluding with Washington to keep the huge U.S. military footprint on Okinawa for good.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

How do you move a reef? In one month? Been snorkeling in the exact location a few years ago. Very beautiful.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

While I disagree with the decision to build a second runway at Naha airport it is a completely different situation and it is demagoguery to lump those two environmentally destructive projects together.

The two are connected to even a blind person.

The Naha airport project is a decision that Okinawan citizens in one or another way had a say on, but the decision to built a complete new US military facility in Henoko is being forced on the Okinawan people clearly against their will and clearly without regard to an equal burden amongst regions.

Actually no, and you once again obfuscate the issue by saying "Okinawa citizens", they are Japanese citizens, and once again you conveniently forget that it is only a small group of people who are being vocal against the bases.

FACT: the current gov has lost the overwhelming support of the business community in his "All Okinawa" campaign because he has failed to do the one thing that could have finally settled the issue of whether Okinawa wants or does not want the bases...he promised numerous times to hold a referendum on the issue, but failed to deliver, and none of his predecessors held one either. Also as a "one" issue gov, he has lost the support of people too!

Everyone here knows why he never held a referendum, nor his predecessors either, he KNOWS that he would probably lose and couldn't handle it!

Let's not forget the Japanese people elected the very same people who made the choice to move the bases, you and others who constantly make the comments about separating the "Okinawan" people from "Japanese" are choosing to be ignorant of the reality that Okinawan's ARE Japanese citizens, whether they should be or not, is purely an academic discussion.

Economic development is more often than not environmentally destructive, but if the people concerned decide on the basis of proper information that they want to sacrifice a part of their nature for economic gain then this is a normal democratic process happening in all democratic nations. When a central government without regard for the will of the people forces a project onto a prefectures citizens it is simply anti-democratic and against basic human values.

Yet you would have the desires of the minority rule over the decisions of the majority.

You have ZERO proof that the "will of the people" majority of the people, are against what the government is doing. You base your opinions not on fact, but on conjecture.

Oh and don't give me any argument about "anti-democratic" there is no "true" democracy here and it's disingenuous to suggest otherwise. Anyone with even 1/3 of a brain knows that Japan is not a democracy in the true sense, because of the one party rule of the LDP. Japan only pays lip service to being democratic, and calling it one, is................

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Once on another thread I insisted on asking you a similar question but do you remember what you said? You said I have no right to order you to do this or that, adding, "Only my mom has such a right"!!

You still don't get it do you? lol!

You say I've been given the answer to these questions a hundred times? Where on earth did you give the answer?

Reading with you is not the problem, comprehension is, you have been answered, and with the exception of you, everyone else here knows.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb_zpi2rR1w&feature=share

This is what everyone needs to support!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

OK, then, I ask you answer why all these training bases of the Marines are needed in Okinawa when the most active elements of them are to move to Guam,

Ask me this question after the move to Henoko is finished, and the bases scheduled for return are completed.

But then you won't have to, as you will have your answer.

what's the use of maintaining the Marine bases in Okinawa?

You have been given the answer to this question at least a hundred times. It is on YOU to remember.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Britain returned sovereignty over Hong Kong unconditionally after its 99-year “lease” expired in 1997. Can the U.S. follow suit and return all the bases in Okinawa in 2044 with no strings attached? Judging from what the U.S. military is doing, it’s apparent that they are maneuvering to retain their vested interests (bases) forever.

First you are not Japanese so please stop using the word "we", you don't have a "voice" in the process here, all you are doing is posting your outdated and ignorant opinions.

There is no comparison, you are pulling straws here, and everyone knows it. Japan isn't calling for the return of the bases, as China wanted Hong Kong back.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The bases in Okinawa are needed to protect Japan and Taiwan from China.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

"to protect Japan and Taiwan from China? Show your evidence”

Since you asked:

November  21st 2017 China sends bombers and intelligence-gathering planes through international airspace near Okinawa

Dec 17 2017 China Flies Long-Range Bombers Near Japan and Taiwan

Dec 19 2017 Chinese air force holds drills in Sea of Japan and around Taiwan

May 25, 2018Taiwan air force scrambles as Chinese bombers fly round island

 

April 18th 2018 China holds live-fire drills in Taiwan Strait

Case made. China is the enemy

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

This article makes no sense what so ever. The "state" is delaying the landfill to protect the reef, but will continue with the construction in mid-August.

Oh, let's not forget the hypocritical responses of the Okinawan government here, they willingly destroy the coral reef to build an additional runway at Naha AP, and not a peep! But Henoko they scream bloody murder!

Typical Japanese politics, hypocrites all around!

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

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