Why Okinawa? The Dilemma of Futenma Part 2

[kazumathe1]

While the whole world is up rising and fighting for their freedom, the Okinawans need to do the same and protest for the rights of their own island. Not only did the Japanese exploit the Okinawans before WWII, now the American military is raping the the land and doing so with no disregard of the people. Okinawans need to fight and lead the people to liberation of this military industrialization of its island. Fight like the Taiwanese, like the Egyptians, like the Libyans! Free OKINAWA !

[lulu230414]

The U.S. has little regard for the okinawan people?? ..fuck you bitch how bout this rewind about forty five to fifty years and see how much regard the EMPIRE OF JAPAN had for their own people on okinawa they spred propaganda that made the U.S. sound like mad men and had their own people kill not only themselves but also their childeren they trew their babies over a fucking cliff and the EMPIRE OF JAPAN did not give a fuck.

[koopatroopa187]

Maybe you should tell the facts about that helicopter crash before you twist the story even further.

That crash was a demonstration of superb piloting. A CH-56 went down over a highly populated city and it managed to land in an empty parking lot and did very minor property damage. On top of that, because of the incident Okinawa got a brand new, state of the art University paid for by the US government. It was one incident in what? 60+ years? Anything to push your agenda though.

[RAvery41]

The US Military Contributes to the protection of Japan in Asia, however we ask only 1 major question and that is "Why does the tiny island of Okinawa, the size of New York City, have to carry the burden of this protection? do you know that Okinawa has 37 Military Bases and has over 75% of the Military for this protection, yet Okinawa is the size of a speck of sand compared to the 4 main Island of Japan.

[univercity2009]

But most American believe USA is protecting Japan from the hostile of China and N.Korea. What is your view on this?

[RAvery41]

@univercity2009 . America tells the Okinawan People that the 37 bases on Okinawa are for the protection of them & Japan from N Korea & China, but the truth is that China has no interest in Okinawa. Historically China has been good neighbors,but their interest is in Taiwan, China as records shows have almost as much money invested in the USA economy as Japan does and N. Korea just hates everyone and only is tolerated by China and other more Terrorist Countries.

[koopatroopa187]

@RAvery41 37 bases? Care to name all of these? Off the top of my head all I can name are: Kadena Air Base Camp Kinser Camp Schwab Camp Gonzalves Camp Hansen Camp Foster Camp Courtney MCAS Futenma Camp Lester Fort Buckner Torii Station White Beach Camp Shields Kin Red Kin Blue CTA Yomitan Ammo Dump That thing that nobody knows about on the top of Mt. Yaedake. Probably a weather survey station or a radar site Plaza Housing Courtney Housing Kadena Marina Are you counting LZ's as bases?

[RAvery41]

If the Japanese Govt pays so much money for all of this, it is all the more reason to move this base from Okinawa and send it back to the USA or to the mainland of Japan. As for Japan Paying for other things mentioned, I believe both the USA and Canada put money into each and every state and county in the USA. is there a point being made here that we are missing? Bottom line, there are too many bases on Okinawa that should be on the mainland of Japan.

[univercity2009]

"The Japanese government pays approximately $100,000 per year for each

member of the U.S. military stationed in Japan. It pays for electricity on the bases, and highway tolls for U.S. military personnel. Japanese tax money supports shopping centers, schools, libraries, and churches on the bases (even though the Japanese constitution separates church and state). More than 70% of the total cost of U.S. bases in Japan is borne by Japan."

[RAvery41]

@univercity2009 The cost you mention I cannot believe that number, as it would have to take into consideration cost of man, cost of base use, and all costs involved as the USA has over 700 military bases throughout the world in 121 counries and right now cannot even afford the bases it has. the cost is borne by Japan as you point out.

[RAvery41]

@univercity2009 Okinawa prefecture income from us bases amounts to 5% of the total income to Okinawa and of that, 75% goes to mainland Japan business interests. Okinawa has shown it is capable of self sustaining itself without US Bases. The entire issue is political agendas.

[ChatanMan]

@RAvery41 again false statements that are miss leading. you claim that Okinawa can take care of itself but it was told to me that Okinawa uses the majority of the welfare of all of Japan. Okinawins leave her all the time because there is no work. No mainland company's truely invest here, example factories.. there is none. dont get me wrong the USA does need to save money and pull out of here. but really why did the Prime Minister change his mind?? I remember those speaches he gave.. WHY?!?

[koopatroopa187]

@RAvery41

Then why did an absurd amount of people lose their jobs during the 2.5 month base lock down in 2008? Do you realize the economical damage that would be done in the housing market alone? How many Uchinans on Okinawa can afford the outrageous prices SOFA status personnel pay for an apartment?

Remember what happened to the Philippines when the US bases left? Same would happen to Okinawa.

[ChatanMan]

@univercity2009 the people in Ginowan moved there because it was cheap to live there. I have seen images where there is nothing there... NOTHING.... it is a bad location now.. but it is not as if there was a large population there when they made the base. choice were made to live there. No one wants to live up North because there is not work there. No self sustaining economy. Okinawa doesn't have a product to export that Japanese see useful. that is why they leave the base there... FACT

[ycsato]

Too many US base left in Japan.

[stonershake]

this is sad i see the Okinawa ppls reasons behind it but at the same time they dont under stand do to north korea there very bad ppls there.

[TheCentralasian]

Incorrect statement. Okinawa was a seperate country before WWII, so it has nothing to do with japanese nationalism

[ghisfrederic]

Okinawa is now part of Japan. Japan new PM has put Okinawa issue as a "flashpoint" to be elected by trying to motivate nationalists, accusing ex-PM as being too much weak before US partner. But Japan new PM ignores that US presence in Japan is part of "Defeat Pact" in which japan is also forbidden to build mass destructive weapons. Germany and Italy know that too or has the same type of pact, there is massive US soldiers in these 2 countries too. Elsewise, US troop in England is an agreement.

[RAvery41]

This issue has nothing to do with Japanese Nationalism. It has everything to do with Okinawa bearing the burden of the Japanese Defeat & Okinawa was a victim of WWII, not a participant. If your Point Blank Issue is correct, why is Germany and Italy getting a Free Ride?