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To: OCC
Actually, they do. The only ones who get upset about the Marines on Okinawa are three groups:

  1. The Okinawans themselves.
  2. Resort developers who see Okinawa as a low cost travel alternative to Hawaii but are limited in what they can develop due the the huge military footprint there.
  3. An isolationist peacenik element who have a pipe dream that Japan should be the Switzerland of Asia. At most, this makes up 20% of the electorate.

The Okinawans and resort people's reasons are almost purely economic. Okinawa, at one time, was highly supportive of the military presence because they provided one of the few sources of jobs. Now, most of them realize that more revenue would be had catering to wealthy mainland tourists with far more money to spend.

Hatoyama's coalition didn't elect him Prime Minister because of his promises to move the military off Okinawa. He was elected because the economy sucked and he was the only viable alternative to the ruling party.

Like the Americans, the Japanese have seen his performance up close and personal and don't like what they bought. To their credit, it took them a lot less time. How much more will America have to suffer before Obama's approval ratings drop below where Hatoyama is now?

9 posted on 06/01/2010 7:01:31 PM PDT by Vigilanteman (Obama: Fake black man. Fake Messiah. Fake American. How many fakes can you fit in one Zer0?)
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To: Vigilanteman
Well, if a significant majority of Okinawans now want the base off the island, the pols in 霞が関 should get off their duffs and work with the Yanks to move it.

Never been there, better half's an 江戸っ子.

10 posted on 06/01/2010 7:13:20 PM PDT by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
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To: Vigilanteman
Resort developers who see Okinawa as a low cost travel alternative to Hawaii but are limited in what they can develop due the the huge military footprint there.

Yep but that's a pipe dream now. We live in a dangerous world, after all.

12 posted on 06/01/2010 7:56:55 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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