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Posted on 02/17/2010 7:36:51 PM PST by fight_truth_decay
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Described by many as the worst crisis in decades in Japan-US relations, the controversy surrounding the relocation of the US Futenma air base in Okinawa has left Japan’s Prime Minister with the choice of defying its most important ally or breaking a key election pledge. But as David McNeill reports, whatever the outcome, the debate has reinforced Okinawans’ disillusionment with power politics and government promises.
Exactly half a century ago, Tokyo and Washington signed a landmark agreement so divisive it forced then US president Dwight D. Eisenhower to cancel a trip to Japan, led to the resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi and sparked riots and violent demonstrations by students and trade unionists across this country.
Yet, despite the best efforts of its opponents, the US-Japan Security Treaty (AMPO)--the keystone of US defence policy in Asia--is still with us. The two sides officially celebrated its 50th anniversary last month even as they were buffeted by what may be the most serious crisis in the treaty’s history. Many wonder if it will survive at all.
The treaty is one of the odder creations of international diplomacy because it depends on a key contradiction: How can a country that is supposedly neutral and pacifist also be a key player in the US global defence network? The answer, points out Japan-based political scientist Douglas Lummis, is Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost prefecture.
Nearly a thousand miles from Tokyo, and a psychological world away, Okinawa hosts about 75 percent of all US military facilities in Japan. Thousands of young marines--many battle-scarred from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan--are uneasily stationed there. The Marine’s ageing Futenma air base squats smack in the centre of crowded Ginowan City, bringing noise, pollution and crime.
Global Warming activists led by Al Gore had linked Fossil Fuel Consumption to the depletion of polar ice caps, ocean sea levels would rise by seven meters, median air temperatures would soar 14.5 degrees warmer than current day. "Voila", the Toyota Prius, the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle was born. The Greenies were placated by this Toyota hybrid and cheered someday electric cars would rule the planet.
Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat, Virginia, called Toyota's (Lexus) recent recalls just a "business issue" but a quick decision on the Futenma issue was needed.
The Obama administration has insisted the Hatoyama government move Futenma to Nago, a less crowded city in the northern part of Okinawa that recently elected an anti-base mayor.
"Webb said he did not recommend moving Futema's facilities outside of Okinawa, as many local residents want, but he also suggested he didn't necessarily support the Obama's administration's position."
"We're not a parliamentary system, so I am not obligated to support the administration in a specific way," Webb said.
Webb defended U.S. military presence in Japan and the importance of having Marines based in Okinawa saying, "I would ask you to consider what the stability of this region would look like if suddenly (the U.S.) were to withdraw its military from its bases in Japan, what temptations might follow that," he said.
Webb has made numerous visits to Okinawa for 40 years, a Marine during the Vietnam War and more recent U.S. defense planner and government official.
And, by the way, security.
I'm so tired of this crap - maybe we need to pull everything back to Guam & to hell with all of em. Let Japan, S Korea, etc devote more of their GNP to their own defense, instead of subsidizing local businesses who are then free to put Americans out of work.
They like our money, don’t they? If we pulled out, Okinawa would be devastated. I suppose they would like Chinese hegemony to benefit as well? I suggest that these protestations are much like the peace movement in this nation. Less about Peace and more about creating ‘controversy’ to elect Socialists.
I’ve said it again. Pull out. They’ll be China’s bitches after we leave. Just make sure never to call us once the shiite hits the fan. Deal?
When I was there in 1990’s, Japan would fly protestors in from the mainland. The Okinawan people liked us. Their Jap-Government influenced politicians did not.
Right, Japan and Korea are the front line states. Let them shoulder the burden of their own freedom.
Cheers!
Okinawans hate main land Japanese. Besides Kadena is much bigger if I remember.
Yes, General.
To deal with this 800, Okinawan police & 700 mainland Japaneses police were mobilized. The mainland police were using two Huey helos and needed a Marine helo pilot liaison to fly with them to coordinate with air traffic control and Marine ground units, so I spent the day with them. Great group of guys.
They spotted a protester in the impact area. The SWAT team in our helo rappelled down then grabbed & cuffed the guy. We landed so they could throw (literally) him in the back. They told me that he was a notorious Marxist “student” in his mid 30’s who spent most of his time agitating.
Looks like nothing much has changed! (we ended up sending one artillery battalion to Korea for training at a range up next to the DMZ. Now THAT was an interesting month or so!)
I vote for Yokota AB, but anywhere in the Kanto Region would do!
This would be like somebody in Kabul seeing photos or news reports--without deeper context--of an isolated, fringe Code Pink demonstration in D.C. during Liberation, with those batty people's signs saying things like "Afghanistan is not worth our sons' blood", and mistakenly thinking this sentiment somehow represented ALL AMERICANS; then saying or thinking in response, "well, if that is the way the Americans feel, then I guess they can indeed get the hell out of our Aghanistan."
Well said bravo!
Is Hatoyama their Obama?
Trust fund baby or is the social welfare cradle that good in Japan?
Good job. Keep ‘em honest. Every country has their kooks, some hide them well, others disappear them, we tolerate them in America and our good example has obviously rubbed off on the Japanese.
Not even if office a year yet over here.
Everything was "Change!", and "Hope!" and even "Yes...we..can!!" in the Japanese campaign for the Lower House.
Many do indeed regret him in office increasingly so--his numbers are plummeting. Hatoyama got away with promising the same kinds of simplistic, appealing-to-the-ears things as Obongo did to Americans...in the depth of their desperation. So you see, two great nations's peoples can make horrendous mistakes. Our foolishness also binds us, the two nations, together in a sense.
The sitting parties in both countries, along with the media, helped the people to make bad decisions, no?
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