Why the Construction of an American Military Base in Henoko Is Being Described as Japan's Ferguson

Osprey deployment withdraw protest rally

A man marching in Tokyo to protest US Osprey aircraft deployment. Sign reads, “Close all US bases on Okinawa.” (January 27, 2013). Photo by KAZUMAC. Copyright Demotix.

One of Japan’s biggest but underreported stories – both in Japan and abroad – is the decision to relocate the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from the central part of Okinawa Island to Henoko, about 50 kilometers to the north.

The decision to relocate Futenma to Henoko has generated large-scale protests both on land and on the sea over the summer. Some commentators are calling the events at Henoko Japan’s Ferguson, referring to the fatal shooting of an unarmed teenager in Ferguson, Missouri by police in August, which provoked protests and riots. 

As video hosted on the local Ryuku Shimpo shows, as of mid-September 2014, protesters who venture near the construction are being swiftly apprehended and detained by a large force of Coast Guard personnel for violating a court order (令状主義違反) to stay away from the area.

Meanwhile on land, protests against the Henoko base are drawing crowds of 10,000 people.

Okinawa is both the southernmost of Japan’s 47 prefectures and the country’s poorest prefecture in Japan.

Despite its small size (Okinawa covers just 0.6 percent of Japan's land area) Okinawa hosts at least 28 American military installations and three quarters of American service personnel stationed in Japan. About 20 percent of Okinawa is devoted to military installations, a legacy of Okiniwa’s postwar status as an American “trustee” territory that was only returned to Japan in 1972.

Many of the 28 military American installations are located within densely populated neighbourhoods – Marine Air Corps Futenma is located in the heart of Ginowan City.

For many years there have been attempts to relocate American forces. Then, at the end of 2013 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Governor of Okinawa Hirokazu Nakaima signed an agreement to build a new US marine base at Henoko, a relatively pristine site about an hour by car from Ginowan.

Despite talk of relocating the Marines to Guam, and pre-election promises by local politicians to resist building at Henoko, US forces will not be leaving Okinawa any time soon. Okinawa residents feel betrayed.

The new American military base at Henoko in Okinawa will be construction on a coral reef and seagrass beds which is inhabited by the dugong, an endangered marine mammal protected under Japanese and US law.

Keiko Tsuyama, a New York-based Japanese journalist interviewed by GV recently, says, “If this sort of project were planned for the East Coast or the West Coast of the United States, it would never be tolerated by Americans. Why Henoko?”

Peaceful Protest, Disproportionate Response

Local resentment over the decision to build a base at Henoko quickly grew following the agreement in late 2014. Over the summer, the road in front of construction site at Henoko had become a large protest camp.

Some protesters have been camped out here since 1996, when plans were first made to locate the base at Henoko:

Over this past summer, some protestors took to the ocean in kayaks and canoes, in an attempt to protest a seabed study in Oura Bay, off Henoko, prior to construction taking place.

While there has been television coverage of the protests, the footage generally captures a low-intensity cat-and-mouse game occurring between authorities and protesters.

For example, a local news report from September 3, 2014, showed security forces chasing off a protester who has draped a net over a platform used to drill boreholes for a seismic study. (Update: Since the publication of this story, this video has been deleted.)

Local newspaper Ryuku Shimpo has uploaded some YouTube footage of Japan Coast Guard officers enforcing the court order:

The Twitter hashtag #henoko also provides regular updates about the Henoko protests.

Throughout the summer and now into September, many Twitter users are capturing a government response of surprising intensity:

Dozens of canoes have been confiscated, (according to the Okinawa Times). In the next prefectural gubernatorial election we must prevail and overturn this despotic regime.

Henoko.net is a frequently-updated blog that provides detailed coverage of protests, and responses to the protests by the Coast Guard. The most recent update is for September 14:

 辺野古の海は今、海上保安庁による恐怖と暴力によって占領されています。

まずは、この動画をご覧下さい。この動画は辺野古の新基地建設・移設反対の抗議船に乗船した…ある名護市民の方から提供された未公開映像で、このブログ「辺野古戦記」ではじめて一般公開されるものです。

The Coast Guard is using aggressive tactics and intimidation to asset control over the sea off Henoko. To get a sense of the tactics, watch the video below. We have received video taken by local residents of Nago of officers boarding protest vessels off the planned base site – this is the first time these images have been posted online for the public to see.

It's unlikely aggressive tactics will be enough to deter an Okinawan population that first survived the Battle of Okinawa at the end of the war, then 30 years of American occupation, and now years of pressuring government to reduce the number of American bases in the prefecture.

One Twitter user sums up the spirit of the protesters:

“We Will Never Give Up” – posted on the fence of the planned Henoko base.

27 comments

  • MotomuraYasuhiko

    -The Japanese media does not convey the reality that is this sorrow at all. The interest of the present Japanese media concentrates on entering Japanese United Nations member of the council of the United Nations. This is because all Japan entering the member of the council of the United Nations namely the lies of Japan disappear. This is because all the Japan entering the member of the council of the United Nations namely nuclear weapon carry-on illegal violations of the constitution of current Okinawa disappear. This is because all deceiving the world for the national policy violation with the lie disappear. This is because all the past war assailant responsibility for Asian & Ryukyu disappears. The Ryukyuan does not permit entering Japanese United Nations member of the council of the United Nations./日本人媒體全部不傳達這個悲哀的現實。現在的日本人媒體的興趣集中著在日本的聯合國理事國。說到原因,日本進入理事國也就是的日本的謊言全部消失因為丟失。日本進入理事國也就是的現在的沖繩的核武器帶入違法·違憲全部也消失因為丟失。由於撒謊國是違反欺騙世界的也全部消失因為丟失。對亞洲&琉球的過去的戰爭加害者責任也全部消失因為丟失。琉球人不做日本的聯合國理事國赦。/日本人媒体全部不传达这个悲哀的现实。现在的日本人媒体的兴趣集中着在日本的联合国理事国。说到原因,日本进入理事国也就是的日本的谎言全部消失因为丢失。日本进入理事国也就是的现在的冲绳的核武器带入违法·违宪全部也消失因为丢失。由于撒谎国是违反欺骗世界的也全部消失因为丢失。对亚洲&琉球的过去的战争加害者责任也全部消失因为丢失。琉球人不做日本的联合国理事国赦。/Японская среда не рассказывают любую действительность тоски этого.
    Интерес настоящей японской среды концентрируется на Японии становление U.
    N. член совета.
    Это – в конце концов ложь Японии становление член совета, т.е., Япония, не исчезнет.
    Это после этого исчезнет что не вся Япония становится членом совета, т.е., ядерное оружие перенос-в запрещенном и unconstitutionality настоящей Окинавы.
    Это после не все вещи для которых мир обманывается лгуном национальная политика нарушение также исчезнет.
    Это после не весь противник войны ответственность за прошлую для Азии & Рюкю также исчезнет.
    Ryukyuan не 赦 что Япония становится U.
    N. член совета. /일본인 미디어는이 비애 현실을 전혀 전달하지 않습니다. 지금의 일본인 미디어의 관심은 일본의 유엔 이사국 진출에 집중하고 있습니다. 왜냐하면 일본이 이사국 진출 할 즉 일본의 거짓말이 모두 사라지는 때문입니다. 일본이 이사국 진출 할 즉 현재 오키나와의 핵무기 반입 불법 · 위헌도 모두 사라지는 때문입니다. 거짓말 쟁이 국시 위반으로 세상을 속이고있는 것도 모두 사라지는 때문입니다. 아시아 & 류큐에 대한 과거 전쟁 가해자 책임도 모든 사라지는 때문입니다. 류큐인은 일본의 유엔 이사국 진출을 용서하지 않습니다./Phiền muộn này là phương tiện truyền thông Nhật bản không để cho bất kỳ bất. Bây giờ quan tâm đến phương tiện truyền thông Nhật bản tập trung vào Nhật bản của UN giá thầu. Bởi vì hội đồng Nhật bản là không còn biến mất tất cả những dối trá Nhật bản. Hội đồng là Nhật bản và Okinawa hiện tại hạt nhân vũ khí bất hợp pháp đưa là vi hiến tất cả đi đi từ. Từ đi xa được lừa thế giới với vi phạm chính sách kẻ nói dối là tất cả đi. Asia & không còn biến mất tất cả chiến tranh thủ phạm trong quá khứ trách nhiệm quần đảo Ryukyu. Cha người 赦shimasenn Nhật UN giá thầu./KusariYamatuu-Nihonjin-media-ya Kunu Chimugansa-nu genjichi nu thiichin chitaa-yabiran。Namanu KusariYamatuu-Nihonjin-media-nukyumi-ya KusariYamatuu-Nihon-nu KwokurinRijikwoku-iri nunkai shuuchuu-sooibin。Nuunchiga-ndi-iinee、KusariYamatuu-Nihon-nu rijikwoku-iri-sun di-iisiya suawachi KusariYamatuu-Nihon-nu yukushi-muuru chaariti naaran-nairu-kutunkai naibii-gutu-yaibin。KusariYamatuu-Nihon-nu rijikwoku-iri-sun di-iisiya suawachi genjyai-nu RyuChuuUchinaa-nu kuwakuHeikiMochikwomi-ihoo・ikin-nun muuru-chaariti-naaran-nairu-kutunkai naibii-gutu-yaibin。yukusaa-Kwokje-Ihan-saani shikwai-azamuchoon-di-iishin muuru chaariti naaran-nairu-kutunkai naibii-gutu-yaibin。Ajia tu RyuChuuUchinaa nai taa-sun kwakunu Ikusa-kwagai-Sekininin-nun muuru chaariti naaran-nairu-kutunkai naibii-gutu-yaibin。RyuChuuUchinaa-nchu-ya KusariYamatuu-Nihon-nu KwokurinRijikwoku-iri-sun di-iisiya yurusabiran。/日本人メディアはこの悲哀な現実を一切伝えません。今の日本人メディアの興味は日本の国連理事国入りに集中しています。なぜなら、日本が理事国入りすることすなわち日本の嘘がすべて消えてなくなるからです。日本が理事国入りすることすなわち現在の沖縄の核兵器持ち込み違法・違憲もすべて消えてなくなるからです。嘘つき国是違反で世界を欺いていることもすべて消えてなくなるからです。アジアと琉球に対する過去の戦争加害者責任もすべて消えてなくなるからです。琉球人は日本の国連理事国入りを赦しません。

    Jie Guang Liu
    8月16日 20:42
    Japan constantly denies Kono Statement that acknowledged Japanese military comfort women, ignoring its own pacific constitution and pursuing the group’s self-defense right, leaning toward the right wing. History, once forgotten, repeats the wrongdoing itself. Distortion of history with enforced logic will not change the truth. Responsible attitudes toward history are required.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32u-XAIbvNY

  • MotomuraYasuhiko

    -By the way, country, Japan of Japanese right wing = Japanese and the pro-Japanese Ryukyuans who made a false show of power seemed to buy up the candidacy right of the United Nations non-regular commissioner of the Bang horseradish for money of support of 500 billion yen today. However, the past history of Japan and the present history tell that the country which primarily does not take a measure falls about the happiness of the common people. Besides in the country of the Asian people under this super information-oriented society. Even so, the inhabitants of the country of people of we Asia cannot permit entering Japanese United Nations non-regular commissioner. Japan where has neither the reflection from true heart nor the apology. The inhabitants of the country of people of we Asia must prevent it somehow.
    http://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye2292555.html
    That’s all. September 7, 2014. Yasuhiko Motomura/對了,今天,與日本右翼=日本人,張開虛張的威勢的親日琉球人們的國家,日本好像用5千億日元的支援金全部買下了banguradishu的聯合國非常任理事國的參加競選權。可是,不第一地採取對策的國家滅亡平民的幸福的由日本國的到現在為止的歷史和現在的歷史說明著。是更不用說和這個超信息社會下的亞洲的人們的國家呢。說因此我們亞洲的人們的國家的居民不會寬恕日本的聯合國非常任理事國。來自真心的反省和道歉都沒有的日本。如果我們亞洲的人們的國家的居民想辦法不阻止。
    http://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye2292555.html
    以上。2014年9月7日。本村安彥/그런데 오늘 일본 우익 = 일본인과 허세를 부리는 친일 류큐인들의 나라, 일본은 방글라데시의 유엔 비상임 이사국 입후보 자격을 5 천억 엔의 지원금으로 매점 것 같습니다. 그러나 서민의 행복을 최우선으로 시책을 강구 않는 나라가 망할 것은 일본의 지금까지의 역사와 지금의 역사가 말해주고 있습니다. 하물며이 매우 정보화 사회 아래 아시아 사람들의 나라에서. 그렇다고 일본의 유엔 비상임 이사국 진출을 우리 아시아 사람들의 나라의 주민은 허락하지 않는 것입니다. 진심에서 반성도 사죄도없는 일본을. 우리 아시아 사람들의 나라의 주민들은 어떻게 든 막아야​​.
    http://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye2292555.html
    이상. 2014 년 9 월 7 일. 모토 무라 야스히코/BTW, et Pro cha con người ngày hôm nay, Nhật bản cánh = Nhật bản và ra vẻ để đưa đất nước, Nhật bản mua Coca 500 tỉ yên Bangladesh Vương Quốc gia thành viên không thường trực của giá thầu để quyền. Tuy nhiên, lịch sử của Nhật bản và lịch sử cho các quốc gia hạnh phúc của những người không có biện pháp lần đầu tiên để hư mất. Hãy để một mình là người dưới này rất thông tin theo định hướng xã hội của các nước Châu á. Điều đó nói rằng, không nên cho phép người dân ở các quốc gia Châu á Liên hiệp quốc Nhật bản không thường trực hội đồng. Với không hối lỗi từ lời xin lỗi chân thành Nhật bản. Cư dân của các quốc gia Châu á Mỹ quản lý để ngăn chặn.
    http://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye2292555.html
    Hoặc hơn. 9/7/2014. Motomura Yasuhiko/うれぇーしむしが、ちゅう本日、くさりやまとぅー日本右翼=日本人とぅ、虚勢ゆ張いる親日琉球人たぁーぬ国、くさりやまとぅー日本やバングラディシュぬ国連非常任理事国ぬ立候補権ゆどぅ5千億円ぬ支援金さぁーにこぉー買い占みたるばすい。あんしが、庶民ぬふぅー幸福うどぅゆでぇー第一んかい施策ゆ講じらん国やふる滅びぃーんでぃいるくとぅやくさりやまとぅー日本国ぬくりまでぃぬりしち歴史とぅなま今ぬりしち歴史がるむぬ物語たとぉーいびぃーんさい。ましちぇーてくぬ超情報化社会下ぬアジアンカントリーうてぃや。あんしがあんやくとぅんでぃいちまくとぅぬちむぐくぅる真心からぬ反省ぬんぬぅーんちんあやまいる謝罪くとぅんむぅーるねぇーらんくさりやまとぅー日本ぬ国連非常任理事国んかいへぇー入りいちゅんでぃいいしゆわっ私たぁーアジアンカントリーぬ住民のぉー許するわきぃねぇーないびぃーみせぇーびらんさい。ちゃーがなし阻止さんねぇーないびらん。
    http://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye2292555.html
    以上。2014年9月7日。本村安彦/ところで、本日、日本右翼=日本人と、虚勢を張る親日琉球人らの国、日本はバングラディシュの国連非常任理事国の立候補権を5千億円の支援金で買い占めたようです。しかし、庶民の幸福を第一に施策を講じない国が滅びることは日本国のこれまでの歴史と今の歴史が物語っています。ましてやこの超情報化社会下のアジアンカントリーでは。だからといって真心からの反省も謝罪もない日本の国連非常任理事国入りを私たちアジアンカントリーの住民が許すわけにはまいりません。なんとか阻止しなければなりません。
    http://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye2292555.html
    以上。2014年9月7日。本村安彦

  • MotomuraYasuhiko

    >Despite local opposition to the development, both Japan’s and America’s governments are determined to pursue the plan, which would render Okinawa Island a critical US military base if a conflict over the neighboring Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands’ sovereignty were to emerge with China. /発展へのローカル反対にもかかわらず、日本のものとアメリカの政府は計画を進めると固く決心しています。そして、近隣の尖閣/Diaoyu諸島の主権をめぐる意見の対立が中国で出てくることになっているならば、それは沖縄島に重要な米国の軍事基地を与えるでしょう。

    -Osprey protect the Senkaku? Okinawans “US military base itself is a problem than the threat of China” – Hong Kong newspaper
    5:00 July 26, 2012: Delivery date and time/Osprey защитить Сенкаку? Жители Окинавы “американские военные сама база является проблемой, чем угроза Китая” – Honkon-ши
    5:00 26 июля 2012: дата и время доставки
    http://www.recordchina.co.jp/group.php?groupid=63237/魚鷹保護尖閣?“美軍基地本身就是比中國的威脅的問題”沖繩 – 香港信報
    5:002012年7月26日:交貨日期和時間/鱼鹰保护尖阁?“美军基地本身就是比中国的威胁的问题”冲绳 – 香港信报
    5:002012年7月26日:交货日期和时间/오스 프리가 센카쿠를 보호? 오키나와 현민 “중국의 위협보다 미군 기지 자체가 문제”- 홍콩 신문
    배달 일시 : 2012 년 7 월 26 일 5시 0 분/Osprey bảo vệ Senkaku? “Căn cứ quân sự chính nó là một vấn đề hơn so với mối đe dọa của Trung Quốc” Okinawa – tờ báo Hồng Kông
    05:00 ngày 26 tháng 7 năm 2012: Ngày giao hàng và thời gian/オスプレイぬ尖閣ゆ守いる?うちなぁー沖縄県民「中国ぬ脅威ゆかにん米軍基地うぬむぬがるもんでぇー問題」―香港紙
    配信日時:2012年7月26日 5時0分 /オスプレイが尖閣を守る?沖縄県民「中国の脅威より米軍基地そのものが問題」―香港紙
    配信日時:2012年7月26日 5時0分
    http://www.recordchina.co.jp/group.php?groupid=63237

    (Reuters/Kyodo)
    http://rt.com/uk/187840-okinawa-independence-scotland-inspiration/

  • MotomuraYasuhiko

    On July 23, 2012, 12 vertical takeoff and landing carrier MV22 Osprey of the United States Armed Forces was carried in to the United States Armed Forces Iwakuni base (Iwakuni-shi, Yamaguchi). This is going to be deployed in the United States Armed Forces Futenma Air Station (Ginowan-shi, Okinawa), but a bureaucracy and the media of both Japan and the United States show it when this is to defend Senkaku Islands / 釣魚島 jointly.

    [other photographs]
    http://www.recordchina.co.jp/category.php?type=70/

  • MotomuraYasuhiko

    Japanese principle that I raise a national defense power of Japan and am useful for a humanitarian aid and disaster relief power. Furthermore, in the present conditions of Okinawa in the maelstrom of Senkaku problem raising Sino-Japanese tension, a Hong Kong paper, the sincerity report reports it when “the thought of Iwakuni citizen and citizens of Okinawa is complicated”. The history of the crash including low flying training planned in Japanese soil and a past development stage gives uneasiness to local people of Okinawa. After this April in particular, two times of planes of the same type cause a crash.

    The paper says, “a US base problem is a postwar scar for Okinawa” successively. A US base of Okinawa that was an important strategy base of the Soviet Union for cold war era. And a US base of Okinawa cooperating with a fight for hegemony of the Asia-Pacific region by the United States now. The US base of Okinawa takes a role to control China. However, most of very Okinawa citizens of the prefecture do not feel China gaining power rapidly with “the menace” now. Most of citizens of current Okinawa rather feel the long-term stationing of the US base bitter. This is written down in the telegram with the United States Embassy which WikiLeaks showed.

    Associate Professor 林泉忠 of the University of Ryukyu of citizens of Okinawa announced it really when “I was an Okinawan, and 40% was not a Japanese” that recognized it. By “the identity survey by that Associate Professor 林泉忠 went for in 2005 Okinawa inhabitants.” Japan is preoccupied with national profit of Japan and an anti-Chinese policy and makes light of the feelings of the local citizen of Okinawa. Japan provides the base of Okinawa to the United States Armed Forces as ever and fans uneasiness and the dissatisfaction of citizens of Okinawa. A district and discord between the government that have been underlying for a long time are merely the talks that only came to the front. The issue of this Osprey. (translation, editing / love ball)
    http://www.recordchina.co.jp/category.php?type=70

  • MotomuraYasuhiko

    >A colonial question?

    Prior to its annexation by Japan in 1879, the Okinawa chain of islands formed an independent kingdom known as the Ryukyus. Okinawa Island, itself, was home to one of the most brutal battles of the Asia-Pacific war, culminating in 240,000 casualties. The territory remained under the control of US authorities until 1972, after which it was returned to the Japanese government. /植民地の質問?

    1879年の日本によるその併合の前に、島の沖縄一続きは、Ryukyusとして知られている独立王国を作りました。沖縄島(それ自体)はアジア太平洋戦争で最も残忍な戦いの1つへの家でした。そして、240,000人の犠牲者で達しました。領域は、1972(それは日本政府に返されました)年まで、米国当局の管理下のままでした。

    As they descend upon Scottish soil, Okinawan activists hope to learn how Scotland’s ‘yes’ campaign gathered such widespread momentum in the run up to the referendum. Like their Scottish allies, pro-independence residents of Okinawa have been accused of compromising the region’s economy and security./ 彼らがスコットランドの土地を襲って、沖縄の活動家はスコットランドの『賛成』キャンペーンがどのように国民投票まで公演でそのような広範囲にわたる勢いを増したか学ぶことを望みます。彼らのスコットランドの同盟国のように、沖縄の独立賛成派居住者は、地域の経済と安全対策を危殆化したとして訴えられました。

    But Okinawa’s pro-independence campaigners firmly believe the region could be a viable nation, with many local inhabitants referencing Singapore as a useful economic model. Tomochi argues Tokyo’s economic control over Okinawa Island is an extension of colonial rule, and that the Japanese government’s investment of up to $100 billion in its local economy is misleading, because much of this money is siphoned off by Japanese enterprises. /しかし、役に立つ経済モデルとしてシンガポールにリファレンスをつけている多くの地元の住民と、沖縄の独立賛成派運動家は、地域が生き残れる国でありえたとしっかりと思っています。このお金の多くが日本の企業によって吸い上げられるので、Tomochiは沖縄島に対する東京の経済支配が植民地支配の拡張である、そして、その地域経済の最高1000億ドルの日本政府の投資額がまぎらわしいと主張します。

    -This is ↓ the power of composition Okinawa./これは↓沖縄の権力構図です
    http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/motomurayasuhiko/41120539.html

    • Henry

      Okinawa is nothing like Singapore they have industry and means to be a country Okinawa does not what money would they use and how would they back it up this is just one problem they would face not to mention is it everyone who wants this or only one that have money in Okinawa and are only thinking of themselves be careful what you wish for and Scotland people have spoken they know how the real world works not just some fantasy idea some people have

      • MotomuraYasuhiko

        ? . Ryukyu Okinawa was an independent country called “the Ryukyu government” until 1972 just 42 years ago. I was 20 years old in those days. It was already a Ryukyuan since I was born.

        How despite U.S. military administration under the government of.

  • MotomuraYasuhiko

    In other words, of which this news is ↓ extension:/Другими словами, из которых эта новость ↓ расширение:/其中,換句話說,這個消息是↓延伸:/其中,换句话说,这个消息是↓延伸:/즉,이 소식은 이것 ↓ 연장입니다 :/Nói cách khác, trong đó tin tức này là ↓ mở rộng:/Chimari、kunu newsu ya kurinu↓enchoo-yaibin:/つまり、このニュースはこれの↓延長です:
    黃智威さんがリンクをシェアしました — 本村 安彦さんと一緒です。
    4時間前 ·
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8dQgVCoKbA&feature=youtu.be

  • Okinawa Joe

    ‘last generation of military base problems in Okinawa’

    *Never* going to happen … You want to know why? Two reasons:

    1) Okinawa’s unfortunate strategic position. There is a reason the Japanese military dug in here in WWII, and why the fighting for Okinawa was so intense, and came at the incalculable cost of hundreds of thousands of souls. “Keystone of the Pacific”. Nations don’t have friends they have interests … And any nation interested in dominance in this region has an interest in an unprotected Okinawa. Would Okinawans prefer to be protected by Americans, or occupied by their neighbors to the North East? With enough economic and military might to take anything they desire?

    2) Because, fundamentally, Japan, the NATION that Okinawa belongs to, remains immutably stuck in the mire of feudal Japan politics, driven by an anti-anyone other than Japanese xenophobia which continues to keep the nation, essentially closed to international business interests. Japan is the least attractive country in Asia to do business in. Culturally, personally, Japan is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. But it sucks here for business. Pages can be written, and have been written, about that topic alone.

    To truly do away with the bases in Okinawa requires re-architecting Okinawa’s position in the world’s eye. Create a prefectural wide tax free zone, (not the Free Trade Zone jokes that exist today) and open up international and domestic shipping, which today is locked in the stranglehold of the same stifling Japanese business culture that will continue to drive the country further into recession.

    Until there is fundamental change in JAPANESE business culture and national policy, all these rants are little more than window pane onlookers pontificating on a utopian state of being which just isn’t going to happen. It sucks for the Okinawans, … it really does.

    OR … Okinawa breaks away from Japan into it’s own nation state.

    The discrimination and bullying go back MUCH farther than 70 years … more like 400 Years, when Satsuma Samurai invaded Okinawa and displaced the king in 1609, and subsequently annexed Okinawa to Japan in 1879. Oh yeah … that was because Okinawa refused to join Japan in conquering Korea. See a pattern here?

  • […] residents are upset about the Japanese government's unilateral decision to allow the US Marine Corps to build a new base in Okinawa and its strongarm tactics against local residents protesting the […]

  • […] attended the UN human right panel in Geneva to “sound an alarm” about the relocation of the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa to Henoko, an area further north within the prefecture, itself an archipelago located […]

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