Marines Transfer to Australia: No Justification for Stationing Troops in Okinawa

[unhappycamper]

http://watchingamerica.com/News/242471/marines-transfer-to-australia-no-justification-for-stationing-troops-in-okinawa/

Marines Transfer to Australia: No Justification for Stationing Troops in Okinawa
Ryukyushimpo, Japan
Translated By Stephanie Chiu
30 June 2014
Edited by Emily France

Even if the full picture is not shown, one can still piece the puzzle together little by little to get a sense of the image. If we liken the recent movements of the U.S. Marines to the puzzle, one can then clearly see from it just how weak the basis behind the garrison in Okinawa is.

According to the American newspaper Stars and Stripes, about 2,500 of the American troops stationed in Okinawa are to move to Australia. In addition, it is possible that the scale of this garrison may further increase.

Under the Asia Pacific pivot set forth by the Obama administration, the American military is to increase the activity of military exchanges in various Asian countries. Their strategy has shifted to one that will avoid spurring China into increasing their military power in excess, while closely discussing military matters with other Asian countries and surrounding China from afar with the glares of their neighbors.

Regarding the American bases in Okinawa, it has been pointed out again and again that they lie within range of Chinese missiles and that, according to an American military specialist, “getting too close to China makes one vulnerable.” In order to address these concerns, the Marine Corps has promoted decentralization to places such as Australia, Guam and Hawaii.

[MADem]

1. The Japanese are shifting away from "self-defense" to a militarized footing.

The reason the USMC are there is to do what Japan wasn't going to do, based on their Constitution.

They're apparently working around that these days. They "reinterpreted" the Constitution, so now they can join in wars if they'd like. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_9_of_the_Japanese_Constitution

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/02/world/asia/japan-shifting-further-away-from-pacifism.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://www.heraldandnews.com/members/a-robust-armed-force-for-japan-could-help-u-s/article_15664b7c-07c5-11e4-8b2b-0019bb2963f4.html