Okinawa grants compulsory land use by U.S. military bases
Japan Today - News - Okinawa grants compulsory land use by U.S. military bases - Japan's Leading International News Network:
Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 14:39 JST
NAHA — Okinawa Prefecture on Thursday granted a request filed by the state for compulsory use of land by 11 facilities of U.S. bases in Okinawa.
The Okinawa prefectural government's panel on the matter approved the request, which concerns a total of 315,000 square meters of land in the 11 facilities of Futemma Air Station and other U.S. bases in the southernmost Japanese prefecture, panel officials said. (Kyodo News)"
Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 14:39 JST
NAHA — Okinawa Prefecture on Thursday granted a request filed by the state for compulsory use of land by 11 facilities of U.S. bases in Okinawa.
The Okinawa prefectural government's panel on the matter approved the request, which concerns a total of 315,000 square meters of land in the 11 facilities of Futemma Air Station and other U.S. bases in the southernmost Japanese prefecture, panel officials said. (Kyodo News)"
posted by Darren at 10:43 AM
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PM explains how hard relocation is
Following his attendance at the 60th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa at Mabuni on June 23, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi addressed a press conference at which he answered a question on the realignment of US forces. It concerned reductions in Okinawa’s US base burden.
Although he emphasized the need to reduce the extent of the U.S. military presence, he repeatedly said that mainland local governments were strongly resisting the idea of sharing that burden.
“Relocating military facilities to the mainland faces opposition from all the candidate municipalities. It is very difficult. They support the idea of reducing Okinawa’s burdens in principle, but disagree when it comes to particulars,” he remarked.
While Koizumi initially displayed his enthusiasm for relocating US bases to Japan proper, he has ended up explaining the problems in achieving that goal, namely his failures in urging mainland local governments to accept a NIMBY (not in my back yard).
In consolation Koizumi pointed out, “There is a possibility that in future, areas other than Okinawa may take a share in the burden that Okinawa bears.”
He avoided naming names of potential municipalities since negotiations are still under way.
He side-stepped a question on whether he intends to abandon the plan to relocate Futenma air station to Henoko.
In terms of his and president Bush’s joint decision making on the Okinawa question, he said that delays in progress had arisen, in many cases, on the Japanese side over the issue of who would take on a US base.
Governor Inamine remarked that he had told the Prime Minister he was expecting an initiative from him on the question of the bases. (June 24 am ed)
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