Abe, Okinawa governor remain apart over Futenma relocation

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  • -3

    BertieWooster

    With the governor of Okinawa and all 41 mayors demanding the US bases off the island, something's going to have to give.

    It's getting interesting.

  • 4

    Yubaru

    With the governor of Okinawa and all 41 mayors demanding the US bases off the island, something's going to have to give.It's getting interesting.

    This is just regurgitation of old news, hardly interesting at all.

    It will get interesting however when Abe changes the law requiring the Gov's inkan on any landfill projects. Nakaima did his job, now Abe will do his.

  • 0

    Takuma7

    not a thing is going to give, move, or close unit the runway is built on camp schwab.

  • 3

    Wonbatto

    not a thing is going to give, move, or close unit the runway is built on camp schwab

    Actually not true; the US and Japanese governments have agreed to delink the Futenma move from the larger plan to close may bases south of Kadena.

  • -2

    Takuma7

    Close bases south of Kadena?? don't think camp foster is going away anytime soon. they just build a new hospital. a dream is just a dream. kinser is going to close when a replacement is biult. Naha port is waiting for it's replacement (over 20 years) still not built. futema will we all konw that story....

  • -1

    smithinjapan

    "During their meeting, Abe said that his government would stick to the original agreement to move the base from Futenma to Henoko, which was reached in 2006 when the LDP was in power."

    A promise is a promise (especially when promised TWICE!).

    Bertie: It's not getting "interesting" so much as it is 'amusing'. These mayors have seen Nakaima's popularity rise through a few right-wingers going out to vote based on his anti-base rhetoric, so they're hopping on the bandwagon, and that's all. If they TRULY cared about the people of Okinawa they'd be refitting and/or building new bases as quickly as possible... or else simply putting up a Chinese flag.

    The current government has mired itself so deeply in international disputes with neighbours that it can do NOTHING but kow-tow to the US more than it ever has in the past, and guess who controls Okinawa -- the Central Government. Any talk or attempt at seccession would be quashed immediately, even if they were half-serious and not just a joke.

  • -2

    yosun

    Both the US and Japan are democratic countries, but Okinawan can't make decision for the use of their land even local poll requested the same. So what's difference between the US/ Japan gov. and CN commie gov. if all of them don't respect people's will?"

  • 0

    Zenpun

    Smith

    Relocation of base is nothing to do with Chinese flag flying. It is another Uncle Sam propaganda. Base is heavily populated for such a small land. Air crafts are making noise and pollution too. It is up to Host to decide whether they want or not! If you imagine about sewage treatment for more than 400,000 people, it is too much for them.

    A small toilet can not accommodate as seat for Elephant.

  • 2

    noriyosan73

    Relocate in Guam or build an island like the Kansai airport islands. Send the dependents home to the USA. End the vacations and unnecessary costs to the USA taxpayer. The USA military is supposed to be mean, lean, fighting machine where everyone in the military can pass the the physical fitness requirements of the D.I.

  • 0

    Wonbatto

    There was an interesting article in the NY Times last year regarding local views of the Henoko relocation - really local, as in, what the residents of Henoko village think

    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/15/world/asia/okinawan-views-on-us-military-presence-are-nuanced.html?pagewanted=all

    As far as I know, it's one of the few times anyone's asked what the people who actually live there what they think.

    It's also worth noting that at the time the current Futenma relocation plan was agreed upon, both Nakaima and the then mayor of Nago (of which Henoko is a part) supported it.

  • -4

    BertieWooster

    yosun,

    Both the US and Japan are democratic countries

    What!

    For one thing, the U.S.A. is not a democracy. It's a republic.

    And for another, there is very little democratic about the way Japan and the U.S.A. have continued to ignore the feelings of the Okinawan people.

  • -4

    BertieWooster

    smithinjapan,

    I don't know whether you have heard Okinawan politicians speak recently.

    I was at a meeting a few days ago and heard the Mayor of Naha and several others talk about the situation.

    Their conviction, power and sheer balls puts a silver spoon sycophant like Abe to shame.

    They want the bases OUT.

  • 0

    warnerbro

    Abe will turn the money spigot back on. One homes that the local politicians have the fortitude to withstand the deluge.

  • 0

    Yubaru

    And for another, there is very little democratic about the way Japan and the U.S.A. have continued to ignore the feelings of the Okinawan people.

    This just continues to show your ignorance of international politics. National governments DO NOT negotiate with individual states, they make agreements with the national government.

    It's the national government's responsibility to deal with the people within the state or in the case the prefecture. The US has no obligation, even though it bends over backwards time and time again, to appease the Okinawan people, to kow-tow to Okinawa.

    Okinawan's have never learned that lesson and pretty much continue to shoot themselves in the foot by trying to get the US government to change it policies.

  • -1

    Jason Santana

    I like to see what happens if and when the US military will all leave japan particularly out of Okinawa. Wouldn't china take the opportunity to try to take over that area of Japan? Eventually they would make their way north. It may not be military action but just from local business. Is no one thinking about this?

  • -4

    BertieWooster

    Jason Santana,

    The last time I walked through the back streets of Shinjuku (Tokyo), all the pimps seemed to have Chinese accents. I heard that the Chinese equivalent of the Mafia is quite big there.

    Mind you, I don't have facts and figures, and I'm sure that our learned brethren will have no hesitation in correcting me, if they think I have it wrong.

    However, I see very little Chinese presence in Okinawa.

    There seems to be an idea, mostly spread by Americans, that China wants to "take over" Okinawa. If this is their plan, they are going about it very quietly. So quietly as to be completely invisible.

    In fact, I don't know of a good, REAL Chinese (not American-Chinese) restaurant on the island.

    I don't think there is one.

    And please don't tell me that it's because of the American bases!

    If you want to worry about the Chinese taking over, I would worry more about Sydney Australia, or San Francisco, U.S.A. where the Chinese presence is MUCH, much greater.

  • -4

    BertieWooster

    CORRECTION:

    For "invisible" read "inaudible."

  • -2

    Athletes

    Wouldn't china take the opportunity to try to take over that area of Japan? Eventually they would make their way north. It may not be military action but just from local business. Is no one thinking about this?

    Japan is rich in Volcanoes, earthquake, Tsunami. There are no natural resources. How on earth China want to take over Japan? According Geologic survey, it can be submerged into ocean within a few hundred years due to volcanic chain.

    Africa may be thousand times more attractive for PRC.

  • -1

    megosaa

    why not negotiate and station futenma on senkaku??! (brainstorming)

  • -4

    BertieWooster

    Athletes-san,

    How on earth China want to take over Japan?

    China doesn't want to take over Japan.

    It's a story the US are trying to spread. "Look! The environment is so dangerous! You need us in Okinawa to protect you from the evil Chinese!"

    Africa may be thousand times more attractive for PRC.

    Well, China is investing a lot of time and energy in Africa. They stand to gain a lot. As you say, much more than by trying to take over Okinawa!

    Oh, I don't know though. Maybe they want the goya!

  • -3

    BertieWooster

    megosaa-san,

    why not negotiate and station futenma on senkaku??! (brainstorming)

    It's a good idea. I've suggested it many times.

    Neither Mr Obama or Mr Abe replied to my emails though.

  • 0

    Serrano

    Gov Nakaima keeps saying he wants the base relocated out of Okinawa, but he can't seem to get it through his head that that is not the best option for all involved. The best option is the one that was agreed on in 2006, the relocation to Henoko.

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