Japan remembers Battle of Okinawa amid tensions

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.com/en/japan-remembers-battle-of-okinawa-amid-tensions/a-18535558

Japan's prime minister, the US ambassador, and thousands of visitors have marked the 70th anniversary of the bloody World War II battle. Okinawa still houses a huge US military base, stirring anger among the islanders.

Japan remembers Battle of Okinawa amid tensions
23.06.2015

Resentful locals heckled Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Tuesday ceremony in Okinawa, expressing their protest against the large number of American troops still present on the island.

Shouts of "Go home!" could be heard while Abe was starting his speech, marking seven decades since the end of the battle, which claimed some 200,000 lives.

~snip~

The islanders have long complained about noise, accidents and occasional crimes associated with the base. Tens of thousands of American soldiers are stationed on Okinawa. Tempers have also flared over US plans to build a new base, sparking massive protests led by the island's governor, Takeshi Onaga, last month.

~snip~

Almost 20 percent of the main island of Okinawa is devoted to US military facilities.

[AndreaCG]

1. Good question

Why ARE we there, exactly in that location? What's the strategic advantage to being on that island for a military presence in the pacific?

[unhappycamper]

2. Okinawa was used as a staging base for our Vietnam adventure.

The Okinawans are pissed that our service members get shitfaced and do lots of stupid stuff. Lots.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8574208.stm

[AndreaCG]

3. Thanks

That was 40 years ago. What's the strategic advantage now? It's not like we plan to invade China imminently or anything. Time to scale back and straighten up.

[unhappycamper]

4. Like they say in Real Estate: Location, location, location.