U.S. military bases in Okinawa<\/p>\n
A contentious issue in Okinawa is about to resurface after the
\nend of the Group of Eight summit meeting.<\/p>\n
In deciding to hold the G-8 summit in Okinawa, the government
\nintended to have the (U.S.) air-station relocation plan accepted
\nby local governments. At that time, many Okinawans had a
\ndifferent wish. They wanted to plead for consolidating and
\nreducing the U.S. military bases to the people of the world.
\nTheir wish did not come true.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, it was meaningful for Okinawa to have hosted the
\nG-8 summit.<\/p>\n
The eyes of the world focuses on Okinawa. European leaders who
\nhad no previous connection to Okinawa reached out to Okinawans.
\nAnd standing before the Cornerstone of Peace memorial, which
\nholds the names of 230,000 victims of the Battle of Okinawa, U.S.
\nPresident Bill Clinton must have reflected on the tragic history
\nof the island group.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, 27,000 people joined hands at the 10.2 mile
\nperimeter of Kadena Air Base, the largest military facility in
\nthe Far East. Although it was an expression of protest by those
\ncritical of the administration (of Okinawa governor Keiichi)
\nInamine, the human chain highlighted the enormity of the problems
\nimposed in Okinawa by the presence of the U.S. military bases.<\/p>\n
With the wishes of the Okinawan people in mind, Inamine will
\nhave to show a firm resolve in negotiating with the central
\ngovernment on the 15-year term limit and on the shared use of the
\nbase by the U.S. military and civilians. Is it not the duty of
\nthe government to meet the wish of Okinawans in its talks with
\nthe U.S. government?<\/p>\n
-- The Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-military-bases-in-okinawa-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }