The bases never made Okinawans rich: The prefecture has the lowest per capita income in Japan, one-third below the national average. Now, dependence on them is in decline, and with it Okinawans’ toler

The income would be a lot lower without the bases. Blame Tokyo and yourselves for your problems.

There are probably a few hundred that make really good money off this scam, but for the average person there is little to no benefit and overall a negative economic, health, environment, social effect.

Military bases never made Okinawans rich? Question, how are they able to afford the Lexus, Benz, BMW, and Porsches that they drive out there? They're not able to afford that with the minimum wage set by the government. Yes, if they make less money than anyone in Japan, then that is because the Japanese government wants it that way. That has nothing to do with the bases. The Okinawans that lease their homes to Americans and sold their land to make bases are filthy rich. They aren’t; the ones carrying picket signs and screaming get out of Okinawa. The only ones complaining are the ones not getting any money. They wanted Futenma out of Okinawa, but then want to build a Disneyland there. BS. Before the bases were built they were all living in a impoverished state, mainly because of mainland Japan not caring about them. Mainlanders don’t respect Okinawans, and just want them to cater to them when they come on vacation. How do I know all of this? My wife is Okinawan, and I’ve lived there for many years myself. Sure, there are some stupid people on the bases in Okinawa and they do bad things, but don’t act like Okinawans don’t commit crimes, because they do as well.

for the average person there is little to no benefit and overall a negative economic, health, environment, social effect.

This is not true. The first who benefit are the hundreds of small shops, bars, and clubs near the bases. The next who benefit are the thousands of people employed these places, who spend their salaries elsewhere in Okinawa. The next beneficiary is the government, who collects taxes from these businesses and people, and on the money they spend. The base does not make Okinawans rich, to be sure, but it helps prevent them from being poor. One need only visit the countryside throughout Japan, look at the closed shops, stores, and boarded up homes; there are more than 8 million vacant buildings around Japan, the majority of which are not in Okinawa.

The problem with Okinawa is that it has only two sources of income, the US bases, and Japanese tourism. Japanese tourism has been declining for years, and foreign tourists would never bother to visit Okinawa. Dependence on the US bases is not on the decline, because there has been no other growing industry to take their place. If the bases in Okinawa close, the economy will collapse, period.

If you read the previous 2 comments, I guess this is why the Okinawans fell looked down upon by both Americans and Japanese.

Japanese tourism has been declining for years

Wrong

The Okinawa Prefecture Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports announced the number of visitors to the island between January and November this year hit all time record.

the number of domestic tourists had increased by 1.7 % to 5,776,500.

foreign tourists would never bother to visit Okinawa.

Wrong.

Overseas tourists increased by a whopping 65 % to 1,362,900 compared to the same time period in the previous year making a new record..

Increases in cruise ships’ port calls to Naha, and in the number of LCC flights between Naha and Asian countries has boosted number of tourists from overseas.

http://www.japanupdate.com/2015/12/okinawa-visitor-numbers-again-post-new-record/

How much would the income of the prefecture be without the government subsidies for the bases? I say cut them now and let's see how the people enjoy it. Once the base is complete and the troops relocated to the agreed upon location, reinstate the subsidies. Until then, no money for obstruction. These people want to freeload, but too bad.

People want to transition away from the bases. I think it can be done in a systematic way over time. Best way is to maybe cut the base 2-5% every year and see how the economy does. If the economy suffers then maybe no cut for a few years. Change is hard for people and I respect that. Change is hardest for a military person that wants a pension after 20 yrs = who is the real "freeloader" here.

The people of Okinawa would much rather live with peace of mind than with Americans' money. Bases OUT NOW.

Japan is a democracy so they should put it to a referandum. If the Okinawan people choose no bases, than both Tokyo and Washington should respect that. But there should be a referendum along with discussions and debates on TV the way the scottish independence referendum was and the brexit is now being discussed. This should be put on TV, debated, and finally put to the vote. After that, whatever happens, Okinawa will have to deal with it.