Japan offers $336 mil to pay for U.S. Marines' transfer to Guam

Sunday 12th July, 02:05 AM JST

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TheMarion at 11:00 AM JST - 12th July

I really don't feel that you all know that our Marine Corps was fighting the Japanese inside of China back in 1937 and China has always been our allie. Okinawa has always shared our relationship with China, but Japan - that's a horse of another hue.
Alphaape at 11:24 AM JST - 12th July

I just read in the Stars and Stripes that at Kadena, all incoming families will be required to move into onbase housing, no ifs ands or buts. Once housing is full, then newcomers will have the option of moving off base. This will basically make it from about 4,000 living off base down to 600. All ready the local realtors are getting a bit up in arms since this will seriously cut into thier business, since about 200 homes a year are made to US specificatios for just those types of people moving in. A huge amount of money is generated by having us live off base, and that is going to get cut. Once it is established in Okinawa it will be put in place on mainland Japan.

I guess they are really "getting what they asked for" down in Okinawa. I am not saying that having US military stationed there is the greatest thig since sliced bread, but it does provide a lot of income for a lot of local people.
Stanley50 at 12:29 PM JST - 12th July

Great news for Guam! Hopefully in some years time that place will look more like Hawaii.

51st State?
Lamborghini at 01:26 PM JST - 12th July

What crap, how about the US Tax payers pay for their Marines to be moved to Guam. I am NOT happy my taxes are paying for US Rubbish! :@
TheMarion at 01:33 PM JST - 12th July

Relax, we are not going to Guam,
polarmalik at 06:34 PM JST - 12th July

The offer is the best thing the Japanese government and the people have done to free their country from American occupation - As for the first comment above, by Alphawolf ".... I want the Okinawans to love me, If they don't love me I want them to like me, If they don't like me at least look up to me because I am American, If you don't look up to me, acknowledge my importance to the region...." well this shows how arrogant these Americans have become, Dick Cheney downward - What displeases God the most ? "ARROGANCE" of course and if you believe in God you'll know what that means. Rome the super power of it's time with the highly civilized people on earth at the time fell victim to arrogance too. Where is Rome today, I ask you? The beginning of the end of America the only super power has already begun. All this saddens me, because I love America, have always loved America since the time I was a little boy in Ahmedi, Kuwait, when Kuwait was really Kuwait. Farakh Malik
nandakandamanda at 07:57 PM JST - 12th July

Nothing is ever entirely black or white.

If Japan pays all this money and the US doesn't then move its forces, that will make the US a liar and a thief.
alphawolf at 11:01 PM JST - 12th July

Alphaape, where do you get that figure that 4000 live off base? Also, in Okinawa at least 5 housing companies off base are owned by foreigners or Okinawan women who are married to foreigners...

aw
alphawolf at 11:39 PM JST - 12th July

Marion, yes we are and we are building up the infrastructure as we speak. Our days in Okinawa are over and you will have less commissaries and PX's to go to.

aw
Alphaape at 11:50 PM JST - 12th July

alphawolf, I was wrong on my numbers, reading from the Stripes:

"We are all shocked," said Yasuhiko Okae, former chairman of Okinawa Real Estate Federation and owner of a housing agency in Chatan. "With the new policy, the number of families living off base could drop from about 4,000 to 600. This is a life-or-death matter for us."

For the full article, look here:

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=63640
Alphaape at 11:53 PM JST - 12th July

alphawolf, in addition to the above:

"The total rent generated from off-base homes is estimated to be about 8 billion yen per year (about $80 million)," Okae said. "There are about 40 housing agencies that cater to Americans with more than 150 employees. Many of them will end up losing their jobs."

So this move will put a dent in some peoples pockets. And take into account that the majority of Marines will be leaving and the associated civil servants that supports them, I imagine that there will really be a big impact on Okinawa.

Will they be able to make all of that up with tourism, even though most people in Japan travel on the set periods like Golden Week, Obon, and New Years, will the economy on Okinawa be able to make it during those times that the mass travelers are not going there?
jessssicaaa at 09:47 PM JST - 14th July

What crap, how about the US Tax payers pay for their Marines to be moved to Guam. I am NOT happy my taxes are paying for US Rubbish! :@

RIGHT ON! ;D
sharky1 at 07:19 AM JST - 16th July

They are replacing the Marines with Army...who would've thunk it...
societymike at 02:26 PM JST - 16th July

The money Japan will give the US to help the move is a tiny fracture of the full cost of the "road map" plan. Initially, the treaty called for Japan to foot more of the bill but the US has been very lenient on how much Japan has to pay.

Ironically, Okinawa is getting in Okinawa's way for this whole thing. The entire move is BASED off of the very first step, which is to complete the runway in Nago at Camp Schwab and close Futenma, however, another Okinawa group just this week declared the area where the runway is being built as an environmentaly important location so all construction of the runway should stop... once again.. the circle of politics that is Okinawa and Japan.
rogerbentham at 02:17 PM JST - 17th July

only a few mil? japan should give america okinawa instead.