Japan Press Weekly

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2010 November 24 - 30 [US FORCES]

Japan sacrificed Okinawa to US even after reversion

The Japanese government willingly allowed the United States to freely use its bases in Okinawa and maintain its nuclear strike capability even after Okinawa’s return to Japan in 1972.

This was revealed in diplomatic documents on negotiations of Okinawa restoration released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 26.

The people of Okinawa, at the time of the restoration to Japan, had strongly called for an Okinawa without nuclear weapons and military bases.

However, the Defense Agency’s document dated January 25, 1969 indicates the Japanese government’s recognition at that time that Japan needs to keep U.S. bases in Okinawa as a stronghold for U.S. strategic attacks and for U.S. nuclear retaliation.

The government also allowed the United States after Okinawa’s return to freely use its bases in Okinawa for any operations, even if they had nothing to do with Japan’s defense.

U.S. declassified documents have shown that the United States demanded that Japan continuously accept the deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons in Okinawa and secure the right to freedom of the use of bases there even after the return of Okinawa.

The newly-released diplomatic documents have revealed that Japan was adjusting its policies in accord with the dictates of the United States.
- Akahata, November 27, 2010