U.S. accepts Japan plan on Futemma relocation Kyodo News TOKYO — The United States on Wednesday accepted Japan's proposal on building a replacement airfield for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futemma Air Station in Okinawa using existing land in another U.S. camp in the prefecture, Japanese Defense Agency chief Yoshinori Ono said.
Sadly I did not know much about Futenma issue. Futenma has been one of biggest controversial issues in Okinawa where Futenma exists. But Okinawa is far away from Japanese main land. That is the reason most Japanese do not feel Futenma issue is our problem. Media broadcast this problem occasionally only if some problems happen. So this news has quite value for Okinawa people but not for most Japanese who live outside Okinawa.
Okinawa has rich nature and warm weather that attract many Japanese who visit during vacation or who want to live in this island after retirement just like American wishing to live Florida someday. But because it is located close to China, Okinawa is thought to be an appropriate place for US army to settle in. From the end of World War 2, more than half US army’s stations have been placed in Okinawa. Some bases are situated so close to city center that there have been many arguments which oppose not only US army but also Japanese government who cannot insist Okinawa’s opinion.
So I am quite surprised at this news. It sounds like US government did not push their proposal at all. It is true that Futenma is an Okinawa’s symbol of resistance. In addition, there was a rape by a US soldier and a US helicopter downed last year in the city center of Futenma. However, the fact US accepted Japan’s proposal sounds odd to me. I am not sure but there must be some other unfavorable and confidential facts behind this news.
