About seven hundred miles south-west of mainland Japan sits the culturally and historically diverse Island of Okinawa (source). The people of Okinawa live a well- balanced and healthy lifestyle and are known for their long lifespans. Okinawa was the sight of “the bloodiest battle in the Pacific” (History) and was under U.S. control for 20 years before being returned to Japan in 1972 (History of Okinawa). Okinawa is now home to 34 U.S. military bases and 1800 troops (source), and many Okinawans want these bases gone. Recently there has been major opposition to the relocation of one of the U.S. marine air bases to a more rural area of Okinawa, and increasingly more Okinawans and mainland Japanese are joining …show more content…
The people of Okinawa (and an increasing number of mainland Japanese) are in protest of the relocation of one of the largest U.S. Marine airbases on the island. The base was approved to be moved to the more rural area of Henoko by local officials, but this agreement has now been delayed due to protesters who oppose the base all together (Democracy Now). 20% of the land on Okinawa is occupied by the U.S.(101:East), and protesters point to the numerous accusations of sexual assault and rape connected to American soldiers from the base as well as noise complaints and claims of environmental harm (Democracy Now). Some people do, however, think otherwise. Local officials say that if the Americans left, many Okinawans would lose their jobs and the island would suffer financially. Another point that is brought up is security; the U.S. and Japan are allies, and some Japanese officials say that the base helps ensure Japan’s national security (101: East). This issue of the military bases has yet to be resolved but in any case a solution demands to …show more content…
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