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Opposite views

18 Comments

Okinawa Gov Takeshi Onaga, left, shakes hands with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prior to their talks at Abe's office in Tokyo on Friday. The two men discussed the suspension of of work on the controversial new U.S. military base on Okinawa as talks continue with local officials opposed to the project.

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Honesty it's a no-win situation for Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga and a win-win-situation for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

@Novech: I am not sure about Abe anymore. I thought he planned to change Constitution interrupt to help USA etc but after I read US spied Japan, my amatuer guess is now Abe might be getting rid of US bases in Okinawa and his face impression on this pic looks like his friendship to Onaga. his eyes and mouth.Beside that he does not have a tie.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Okinawa always seems to be last in line when it comes to national government priorities.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

@Toshiko: It really makes you wonder cause this is such a controversial issue. I guess there is a slim chance that Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga could block the move, meanwhile the trouble seems to continue and who knows for how long.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The only reason why there's a suspension is because of Abe's recent fall in the polls and the upcoming Obon observance. Not much going to get done during Obon so why not make it a show for Abe?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I would dearly love to know what the discussion consisted of. With Onaga representing the people of Okinawa and Abe representing Washington.

If it had been live, Abe would have lost even more popularity. Onaga has the ability to see through any amount of BS and get to the point. Abe is lost without his speech writers and "advisors."

If only Onaga was at the helm, someone who can actually think, analyse and communicate.

Things would be very different.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Beside that he does not have a tie.

toshiko, it is cool-biz time in Japan.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Stay strong Gov. Onaga, do not trust Abe and the Central Government because they have shown over and over again that they are not friends of the people of Okinawa. Keep your promises to the people of Okinawa who elected you and do not betray them like former Gov. Nakaima.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

U.S. Bases on Okinawa are "gold mines" for them. They know it is a most effective card to withdraw money from the central government. It will be solved with money after all.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Thanks JT for another Abe shaking hands photo. Just can't get enough of these for my wall collection.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The people of Okinawa does not want money but for the bases to be reduced or gone.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Onaga representing the people of Okinawa and Abe representing Washington.

Ha-ha . . . good one Bertie. Abe already bent over for the Americans in DC last spring. Unfortunately, now its Suga's time to bend over.

I would like to see more protests. Especially here in Tokyo. How serious are these people about no new base?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Wc626, Why does Suga have to bend over for US?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

@tina. I'm just being a troll. Honestly, if okinawans don't want those bases then it the US should get out. There has been 70 yrs of peace. Okinawans but up w lots of burden. I was once stationed (briefly) in okinawa. Beautiful place.

But its time for Japan to play a bigger role in their own security, although they seem unwilling. A paradox?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

But its time for Japan to play a bigger role in their own security, although they seem unwilling

No not unwilling. Abe has enough approval ratings.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Abe has enough approval ratings.

Are you sure? Last I checked, his approval ratings were slipping & at an all time low. His upcoming speech might spark up some points here @ home. But how will the chinese & koreans react to it?

No not unwilling.

Again, are you sure? Abe & Nakatani want to SDF to play a larger role. Average japanese don't want to see SDF play a larger role, if any role, at all in the pacific.

Yet, China is busy drilling, constructing runways and continues an assertive stance in both South/East China Seas. Do Japanese (including Gov. Suga) need US? Or does DC need this current situation in order to justify the presence?

But its time for Japan to play a bigger role in their own security, although they seem unwilling. A paradox?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

how will the chinese & koreans react to it?

They don't have votes.

Average japanese don't want to see SDF play a larger role, if any role, at all in the pacific.

They do. Pacific fine.

Yet, China is busy drilling, constructing runways and continues an assertive stance in both South/East China Seas. Do Japanese (including Gov. Suga) need US?

No. You are not doing anything anyway.

Or does DC need this current situation in order to justify the presence?

No.

But its time for Japan to play a bigger role in their own security, although they seem unwilling. A paradox?

Enough fun talking with me?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Abe has enough approval ratings.

Comedy gold. Thanks, Tina!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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