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US Military In Okinawa - Page 2

An isolated incident isn't reason to leave. We need to be in Japan, it is a strategic outpost and besides if we leave then WWII was for nothing.

Okinawa Military US

Gates presses Japanese on Okinawa

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates urges Japan to honour a 2006 agreement on the controversial US airbase in Okinawa. Ref. Source 2

US Military In Okinawa History & Civil Business Politics

I still think we should get off the island and leave it for the Japanese. We have done what we needed to do since WWII. Now it is time to give it back to them.

Page 2 Okinawa Military US

Japan PM apologises over Okinawa

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama apologises for not keeping his promise to move a US military base from Okinawa. Ref. Source 4

Okinawa Military US

From Japan to Guam to Hawai'I, Activists Resist Expansion of US Military Presence in the Pacific

In Japan, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama sparked outrage this weekend when he announced he has decided to keep an American air base on the island of Okinawa. Before last year's historic election victory, Hatoyama had vowed to move the base off of Okinawa or even out of Japan. On Sunday, he said he had decided to relocate the base to the north side of the island, as originally agreed upon with the US. Hatoyama's decision was met with anger on Okinawa, where 90,000 residents rallied last month to oppose the base. A number of activists opposed to US military bases were recently here in New York for the International Conference for a Nuclear-Free, Peaceful, Just and Sustainable World. Anjali Kamat and I spoke to three activists from Japan, Guam and Hawai'I. Ref. Source 8

US Military In Okinawa

Deal struck over US Okinawa base

Japan and the US say they have reached an agreement to relocate a controversial US military base in Okinawa. Ref. Source 2

US Military Okinawa - Page 2

Today In History

1945: US troops take Okinawa

The Japanese island of Okinawa falls to the Americans after a long and bloody battle. Ref. Source 6

US Military Okinawa Politics Business Civil & History - Page 2

The truth is that the Japanese government doesnt really want the US to leave either. While the Japanese economy has proven to be more robust than many during the last economic downturn, it is still fragile. The amount of money that they would have to pour into self-defense should the US leave is not something that they want to really experience.

Honestly, the government should work more towards what they can actually get and maybe sell to their constituency...persecution of US Soldiers that commit crimes in Japan (through their legal system). In actuality, the soldiers get stiffer sentences in the US system, but the Japanese really want the ablity to try these criminals in their courts. I also think it would serve as a good wake up call of the US soldiers if they knew they would be tried in a foreign court.

If you ask if the Japanese if they want the US out of Okanawa, the answer probably is yes. If you ask the Japanese do they want to have a military again, the answer may stun you.