Japan Press Weekly

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2015 February 18 - 24 [ECONOMY]

Return of US bases generates 32 times more direct economic benefits in Okinawa

The Okinawa Prefectural government recently released an estimate indicating that the return of three U.S. military base sites brought 32 times more economic benefits to the former base-hosting municipalities. The estimate serves as evidence in support of Governor Onaga’s claim that U.S. military bases are a major disincentive to the prefecture’s economic growth.

The prefectural government made this estimate on three returned sites in Naha City and Chatan Town. They are now used for businesses, residences, and relaxation.

According to the estimate, in the two municipalities, the closure and return of U.S. bases has increased job opportunities and tax revenues by 72 times and 35 times, respectively.

The prefecture also calculated the economic effects with the return of the Futenma base (Ginowan City) and other four bases which the Japanese and U.S. governments agreed to return on the condition they will be relocated to other locations within the prefecture. The calculation shows that the return will produce 18 times more jobs and tax income.

The closure of the Futenma base in particular will create 34,093 jobs, or 32 times more than now, stated the prefecture report.

The percentage of U.S. base-related revenues in the prefecture’s GDP has decreased to 4.9% in 2011 from 15.5% in 1972 when Okinawa was returned to Japan, which shows that Okinawa is no longer dependent on U.S. military facilities.

Past related article:
> Okinawa’s economic dependence on US bases drastically reduced [May 19, 2013]