U.S. and Japan remain silent over Okinawa

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

U.S. and Japan remain silent over Okinawa

"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had nothing to say about Okinawa," reported the Okinawa Times in its February 18 issue.

A major purpose of Clinton's visit to Japan was to sign an agreement with Japan on the details of the "relocation" to Guam of 8,000 out of the 13,000 U.S. Marines stationed in Okinawa. The issue has a direct bearing on U.S. military presence in Okinawa.

Clinton emphasized the "importance" of the military realignment in Japan but stopped short of mentioning the fact that the United States maintains its military bases in Okinawa at the cost of the peace and safety of Okinawans, including the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station that puts nearby residents at particular risk.

The U.S. neglect of the safety of Okinawans was starkly shown in her joint news conference with Foreign Minister Nakasone Hirofumi on February 17, when she was asked to comment on Okinawa Prefecture's call for a revised "relocation" plan that includes Futenma Base as part of the agreement to "relocate" to Guam some of the U.S. Marines stationed in Okinawa.

Clinton's response was: "I'm very pleased that we were able to sign the agreement concerning Guam. It embodies the understandings that exist between our two nations, and we intend to move forward to implement it."

How did Japan respond to the issue? In answer to Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Akamine Seiken in the Diet, Foreign Minister Nakasone Hirofumi stated that he would explain the actual issue of reducing Okinawa's burden of U.S. bases.

Far from showing concerns about Okinawans' burden of the presence of the U.S. bases, Nakasone said absolutely nothing about reducing the burden.

Defense Minister Hamada Seiichi did not raise the issue either in his talks with Clinton.

Ozawa Ichiro, Democratic Party of Japan president, held talks with Clinton, but he did not state any position regarding the issue of U.S. bases in Okinawa.

Ryukyu Shimpo on February 18 said, "In full progress is the plan to strengthen the military alliance; left behind is a plan to reduce burdens on Okinawa."

- Akahata, February 19, 2009