A closer look at U.S. Futenma base’s ‘relocation’ issue

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.japan-press.co.jp/2009/2644/USF4.html

How was it started?

The U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station is located in the center of Ginowan City, one of the largest cities in Okinawa with a population of 92,000. It occupies 25 percent of the city’s land and has a 2,800-meter runway that is used by about 70 helicopters as well as mid-air refueling aircraft stationed there and aircraft coming from other U.S. bases. It is estimated that there are more than 45,000 take offs and landings at the base annually.

Located in a densely populated area, the Futenma Base is considered to be the most dangerous base in the world in regard to civilian safety and fails to meet the minimum U.S. safety standards for military bases. In the U.S., a “clear zone” is established around bases where people cannot have residences. However in Ginowan City, there are 18 public facilities including elementary schools, day-care centers, and hospitals, and 3,600 residents live very close to the base. The amount of land taken up by the base already prevents city development.

Residents suffer everyday from the roars caused by aircraft flying over their houses from early morning till middle of the night as well as being threatened with the possibility of accidents.

In August 2004, a CH-53 helicopter stationed at the Futenma Base crashed on the main building of the Okinawa International University in Ginowan City. The walls of the building were charred and a part of a 10-meter rotor tore into and blew away parked motorbikes. Accidents repeatedly occur even after this major accident. The overuse of old helicopters on the base has been revealed as a factor in the high rate of accidents.

Triggered by the 1996 gang rape of a local school girl by three U.S. marines, anger erupted among residents calling for an Okinawa without military bases. Feeling a sense of crisis in the Japan-U.S. Security structure, the two governments in April 1996 announced the return of the Futenma Base site. However, in December of the same year the Japan-U.S. Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) agreed that a construction of a new U.S. base in Okinawa will be a condition of return. This was the beginning of the ongoing Futenma base controversy.

Residents lands were forcibly taken

At the last stage of the Pacific War, the land battle took place in Okinawa. The fierce U.S. bombardment was described as a “storm of iron.” The U.S. forces began constructing military bases in Okinawa right after it landed there in April 1945.

In mainland Japan, the Japanese Army’s bases were taken over by the U.S. military. But in Okinawa, U.S. bases were constructed on residential lands forcibly taken by U.S. forces. They were built while residents were put in what can be described as concentration camps after the war. During the 1950s, the U.S. forces used “bayonets and bulldozers” to seize residents’ lands by force to expand their bases. 91 percent of the Futenma base site was stolen from residents.

Since Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1972, only 18 percent of the land used as U.S. bases in Okinawa has been returned, while 60 percent of such land in mainland Japan has been returned. Crimes and accidents caused by U.S. servicemen have continuously occurred.

[Bonobo]

1. The US has treated Okinawa like their personal parking space for over 150 years.

Starting with Perry's disgusting treatment of them. The

http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20080123-04.html

[Romulox]

2. Japan can't unilaterally dictate the terms under which it receives charity.

Japan's solution is to send all US forces home, and assume all costs associated with its defense.

This "hand out and yet whining" posture is as powerful as it sounds...

[Bonobo]

3. ""hand out and yet whining" posture"

You think they begged the US to come in and take over Okinawa for 60 years?

[Romulox]

4. I think they lost a war of agression.

Which is, as you mention, long in the past, at any rate. Modern Japan is a wealthy, advanced democracy. The Japanese need merely demand their government ask the US military to leave, and concurrently raise taxes on the Japanese to reflect the cost of defending Japan's economic interests.

I'll hold my breath. :rofl:

[Bonobo]

5. "The Japanese need merely demand their government ask the US military to leave"

Yeah, right.

You clearly have a firm grasp on geopolitics. Not.

[Romulox]

7. And you've offered powerful analysis of this issue, as usual.

It must be wondrous to live among the people who possess no moral agency. :hi:

[Bonobo]

8. Japanese show a fuckload more 'morality' than you will ever see, pal.

[Romulox]

9. "moral AGENCY". You've missed an important word there.

Perhaps you're not familiar with the concept. :shrug:

[Bonobo]

12. I got it.

Your claim is that the Japanese are not forced to make hard choices.

I get it.

But who's fault is that.

[Romulox]

15. No, my claim is that the Japanese HAVE made their choice.

They just choose to do one thing (welcome the US "defensive" umbrella) while simultaneously whining about it.

I was accusing you of trying to defend the Japanese from any situation in which the Japanese might have to take responsibility for these choices. That is what I mean by "moral agency".

"But who's fault is that."

Are you trying to be funny?

[Bonobo]

20. You imply the Japanese could "easily throw off the yoke".

It is not true.

[Romulox]

10. PS Now "morality" is originates in one's ethnicity? I'd LOVE to hear you explain your theory

on that subject, if you're not already at Defcon 1. :hi:

[Bonobo]

13. Not ethnicity, Rom. Cultural values.

It's called socialization and culture.

[Romulox]

16. I don't think you can "show your work" to back up your assertion that the Japanese

are especially moral (or that I, or whatever you perceive my culture to be, am/is especially immoral.)

It's just an off-the-cuff insult. Hardly indicative of the "stoicism" of the exotified East. :hi:

[Bonobo]

18. Nope, just anecdotal.

But look at their incarceration rates, infant mortality, health, murder rates and you get some idea.

You can walk safely at night, not get petty possessions stolen, lose a scarf and find it the next day folded, etc.

You have no experience with their culture. I have experience with US and Japan. Therefore we have no basis for discussing the matter.

[Romulox]

21. What a bogus dichotomy you posit. Who made me the defender of the American status quo?

"You have no experience with their culture."

Er, what basis have you to make this assumption? :shrug:

"I have experience with US and Japan."

You haven't much experience with reasoned or well thought out discussion, it would seem. So perhaps we both have something to learn? :silly:

At any rate, this doesn't have much to do with the OP. To the Japanese I say: pay for your own military, throw the US out. I will support you every step of the way.

[Bonobo]

22. Have you lived there?

If not, we can't discuss what it's like there, can we?

I agree with your sentiment about throwing them out and paying for their own defense btw.

[wuushew]

6. What disturbs me is the ever increasing amount of Sinophobia on DU

U.S. imperialism must be maintained to prevent Red China from conquering the Earth? WTF. How is that different from the official neo-con line?

[Romulox]

11. You're not going to want to engage the fellow I'm sparring with on THAT subject.

:shrug:

[EFerrari]

14. It's not any different. Americans in general as still involved in

the unthinking nationalism that was flogged during the Bush years.

[Romulox]

17. Broaden your perspective a bit. What about Japanese/Chinese relations is reflected in this news?

:hi:

[Bonobo]

19. The Japanese and Chinese will have to come to their own terms as adult nations do.

What's your point?

[EFerrari]

23. The Chinese own us, I don't think they want to damage their asset.

And the Japanese just want their real estate back and their daughters safe.