KubasakiRon71 comments

All interesting comments but some wrong facts. My father was involved in the talks during the reversion of Okinawa to Japanese control. The US did in fact poll the Okinawans on perhaps become more like a Hong Kong, part of Japan but self governing and the results were interesting. The older generation that had been under direct Japanese rule did not want to go back as a whole but the younger generation that had been raised after 1950 were strongly in favor of it. So there was a ray of hope and even a flag proposed but it was quickly shot down when the Okinawan people were so split. I was raised on Okinawa and I know that for years they were mistreated by the US but in fact were and are not much better treated by the mainland Japanese who see them much like the Einu of Hokkaido as second class citizens. The bases must and should be reduced. There is no reason for the Marine presence on the island they are not even a fully combat strength regiment and more of a supply depot than anything else. Move them to Hawaii, Guam , California their presence doesn't matter anymore. Kadena will most likely stay for a long while its still strategically important to the US and Japan to counter China's more belligerent stance. Realize however that with the closure of more of the bases and the moving of the personnel fewer Okinawans will work on the bases, receive stipends from the Japanese government of the land use, see less off base rent money, less money in the registers at local eateries, shops etc it will have an impact on business that don't and won't make up the difference from local or mainland tourists spending.