The Current State of US Bases in Okinawa Prefecture

Okinawa Prefecture, a southern Japanese prefecture, has been a significant focal point of the United States' military presence in Japan for decades. With seven major bases already established on the island, the Japanese government is now undertaking the construction of a new airport at the northern base of Henoko. This development has sparked debate and controversy, with many accusing the Japanese government of expanding the military presence rather than simply relocating it.

Context of Base Expansion and Relocation

The proposed Henoko expansion is often conflated with the construction of new bases, but it is, in fact, an enlargement of an existing base, Camp Schwab, designed to provide air support for US military operations.

Additionally, the airport being built at Henoko is being constructed on a landfill of the bay, exacerbating concerns about the environmental impact and potential risks.

The Agreement for Base Relocation

There is a commonly held belief that the Japanese government is merely providing assistance to the US to move an existing base to a more sparsely populated area. However, this perspective is not entirely accurate. The Japanese government is indeed providing assistance to the US, but this is specifically for the purpose of relocating an existing base away from densely populated areas to less crowded regions of Okinawa. This move is intended to reduce the impact on the local population and is a part of a broader agreement.

The relocation of bases should not be seen as an expansion of US military power but rather as a strategic realignment to better serve the interests and security needs of both nations.

Addressing Misconceptions About Base Expansion

One frequent statement is that protests against the base relocation are “seventy years too late.” This is a misguided perspective. The issues surrounding the bases' location and the impact on the local community have been a subject of contention for many years, and the Japanese government and the US have been involved in long-term discussions and negotiations about the relocation and improvement of the bases.

Another misconception is that the American military presence on Okinawa is increasing. In reality, since the end of the Cold War, the presence of American military personnel on Okinawa has been declining. The focus of the negotiations is on improving the living conditions for both the local population and the military personnel, not on expanding the military footprint.

It is crucial to understand that the Henoko project is part of a broader effort to improve the living conditions for both the local population and the military personnel stationed on Okinawa. While the construction of the airport at Henoko is indeed an expansion of an existing base, it is not an expansion of the overall military presence but a necessary step in the implementation of an agreement that aims to minimize the impact of the bases on the local community.