Top U.S. military commander in Japan says Kadena option difficult

Friday 30th October, 05:02 AM JST

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14 Comments

Mookoo at 08:03 AM JST - 30th October

Kadena is a huge base. One of the larger air force bases. A lot of unused land there should be developed for replacing Futenma. It seems a simple rivalry between Air Force and Marines is keeping that from happening.
Sarge at 08:17 AM JST - 30th October

"It seems a simple rivalry between Air Force and Marines is keeping that from happening"

Darn right! Those jarheads aren't going to cramp our style at Kadena, ha ha ha, just kidding, Gen. Rice and Secretary Gates have already explained that integrating Futenma with Kadena is difficult from a military operations point. This was just Okada's idea.
alphawolf at 08:26 AM JST - 30th October

This was on condition that the US AF pulls out its 50 F-15's from Kadena AB... that's what I read last month. And it was the Ameican side that wanted to do this (in addition to pull out 40 F-16s from Misawa).. with all that empty space at Kadena, it could be done. It could possibly be done now if the USAF would get rid of its golf course and reroute a road... aw
panzerkampwagen at 11:06 AM JST - 30th October

The new japanese govt is expelling US military personals out of 'Eden' as their misconducts were have had enough tolerated by Japanese people. They feel sick of US using 'fear' to scar them for decades! By the way the US Japanese alliances was so 'cheap' occuring when US is having hardships in both economy and war aginst terror! Japan was sick of america using her as a stepping stone for keep bullying in asia!
panzerkampwagen at 11:13 AM JST - 30th October

Sure the Hotayamma administration wont give a mere 'face' to honour the 2006 treaty, it was signed by the unpopular Koizumi who betrayed the country's interest to Bush! Americans were having a dire economic hardships and sure was an unwelcome subject to appease! The only explanation was the new japanese govt shall not see america is a trustworthy leader to lead asia but an obstacle for japan to join the asian community, Japan has to appease the Chinese government, sure she has to appease Chinese communist leaders for the sake to save their business sectors!
Mex1c060 at 12:43 PM JST - 30th October

It is Japanese land. They can do whatever they want with it. If they do not want to lease it to America, then do not renew the lease. Keep in mind that there is quite a few jobs that is provided by a military base being on Okinawa. Could it be done? Sure,if the Japanese expand their military or have the Australians take over the military functions that Americans provide. I say let the Marines and USAF conjoin operations. A helicopter pilot is a helicopter pilot. The only difference is that one is trained to defend better with their hands than the other. If it saves the headache of protests,then let it be so. However, the biggest concern is that Marines are harder to control once they get out of control. The Security Police are trained well, but they do not want to have to overtake Marines. Plus the mentality of Marines to Air Force is different due to their differing methods of conquering foes. It would be better if they sent the whole operation to Guam, the lease would be less and it is an American property only 1500 miles away. What is it that American Marines provide that the Air Force Helicopter, radars satellites, and other aviation equipment does not? Is not funding still coming from American taxpayers pockets and Japanese contractual agreements?
timorborder at 01:33 PM JST - 30th October

I don't like the idea of uniformed personnel getting involved in such issues. By just giving these locals the time of day, Lt. Gen. Rice is giving Japan cubic inches in the press with which to raise the ante. A much smarter policy would be to not even meet with the locals, passing on any and all policy queries to the folks back in Washington.

Indeed, it is obvious that Japan wants to move forward quickly on this issue (after so many years of muddling along when the LDP was in power). On the other hand, the US has to consider if what Japan is proposing is actually a good thing for the US in the grand scheme of things. If it is not, then I would suggest that the US employ the old Japanese market-access strategy, basically refuse and delay until the other side looses interest.
alphawolf at 02:08 PM JST - 30th October

I don't understand why a US General or Admiral could be given the status to talk and deal with the Japanese politicians.. this is precisely (I think) what leads the DPJ to think the relationship is not equal. These are political decisions and the military should be left out of it since it might be suspected that they are protecting their empire of bases, budgets etc... people get protective over their "babys" and don't want to give any of them up.. aw
GW at 03:54 PM JST - 30th October

mex1

what is it with yr ideas of Australia China etc taking over for the US in Jpn, is there a list of countries wanting in?? I certainly havent heard of any, pretty odd train of thought
panzerkampwagen at 04:48 PM JST - 30th October

The so-called US-japan alliance was so fragile like Titanic,massive but vulnerable! The new japanese government was definately knowing what thet are doing now was very destructive to the alliance! But for the sake to save japanese economy, mr hatoyama has got to get rid that 'obstacle' to appease Bejiang leaders!The so called allies were brothers in good old days but never in hardships!
Sarge at 08:57 PM JST - 30th October

"It is Japanese land"

Believe it or not, it is U.S. land, according to the Status of Forces Agreement.
rogerbentham at 03:00 AM JST - 31st October

we can do anything we want in japan. hey, we're americans.
sfjp330 at 04:58 AM JST - 31st October

Kadena Air Base is just a few miles away, and does have a huge air strip and operations complex. I would think that between Kadena Air Base, and the nearby Camp Foster (Marine Corps), there would be enough housing and billeting facilities to accommodate both services. The main problem would be the inter-service friction between Air Force vs. Marine Corps.
hworta269 at 11:56 PM JST - 4th November

I dont think its an issue with there not being enough land I think its about the crowded airspace and the amount of noise the increased air traffic would make in the nearing communities.