Japanese Prime Minister scraps plan to move US base from Okinawa

[lsquare]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8658901.stm

Prime Minister Hatoyama is a moron for making such a promise during the last Japanese election. Now it's coming back to bite his ass. Did he honestly think he would be able to move the base? If it was easy to do so, the previous government would have done so. He's right about one thing and that the bases are important for Japan's national security.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Did anyone actually expect him not to maintain the status quo?

It seems like we should move our bases to less populated areas, which is what we are doing in Okinawa (moving parts of the base to less populated areas of the island, IIRC). This goes for Korea as well, IIRC we have bases in the city limits of Seoul. Although, I am certainly no military commander, so there is likely a reason to have them where they are.

There is a sizable military base near my old university's city (although, it is outside the city limits in an unpopulated area). That place is a major boon to the local economy. I know there is the added complication of the soldiers in Okinawa not being Japanese, but I would not have a problem with NATO troops stationed at the military base outside of my old city, spending their money at the local businesses.

 

[lsquare]

Did anyone actually expect him not to maintain the status quo?

It seems like we should move our bases to less populated areas, which is what we are doing in Okinawa (moving parts of the base to less populated areas of the island, IIRC). This goes for Korea as well, IIRC we have bases in the city limits of Seoul. Although, I am certainly no military commander, so there is likely a reason to have them where they are.

Well, I don't think the US have military bases within Seoul. I was in Seoul last year. I think you're referring to Panmunjeom and the US military does have a presence there. Panmunjeom is about 40km north of Seoul.

As for Okinawa, it makes sense because it's closer to Taiwan and mainland China. Therefore in a conflict against the PRC, the US military can better protect Taiwan as well as project power in that region. If the bases were located in the Japanese mainland, then the US' ability for rapid response would be much slower.

There is a sizable military base near my old university's city (although, it is outside the city limits in an unpopulated area). That place is a major boon to the local economy. I know there is the added complication of the soldiers in Okinawa not being Japanese, but I would not have a problem with NATO troops stationed at the military base outside of my old city, spending their money at the local businesses.

Yes!

 

[Exterous]

I am curious to know how much of a disturbance the base causes. The article mentions a rape 15 years ago and a heli crash 6 years ago. Not to be insensitive but I would imagine that there have been rapes since then committed by island natives.

The noise from flight operations I can understand but they are moving the airfield.

 

[Kirby]

Well, I don't think the US have military bases within Seoul. I was in Seoul last year. I think you're referring to Panmunjeom and the US military does have a presence there. Panmunjeom is about 40km north of Seoul.

Garrison, not a base, but whatever. Near Itaewon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yongsan_Garrison

 

[lothar]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8658901.stm

Prime Minister Hatoyama is a moron for making such a promise during the last Japanese election. Now it's coming back to bite his ass. Did he honestly think he would be able to move the base? If it was easy to do so, the previous government would have done so. He's right about one thing and that the bases are important for Japan's national security.

People do anything to get elected into office.
He's a politician like all others.

 

[cubeless]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8658901.stm

Prime Minister Hatoyama is a moron for making such a promise during the last Japanese election. Now it's coming back to bite his ass. Did he honestly think he would be able to move the base? If it was easy to do so, the previous government would have done so. He's right about one thing and that the bases are important for Japan's national security.

wow... a pol who is doing differently than he blustered about in his campaign... that's a new one... maybe him and bo can do a deal and swap that base and gitmo...

 

[piasabird]

There are not many places that are unpopulated in South Korea. Even the little villages I use to be stationed near are full of new apartemnet buildings that tower over the rest of the town. I did a search of some of the towns in the north part of South Korea, and what use to look like sleepy little mountain towns now look like a thriving metropolis. Any areas that are not built up towns are farmland they cant afford to lose.

 

[Patranus]

How would the Japanese force the USA to move one of its bases in that country.

I am pretty sure the USA owns Japan after WWII.

 

[K1052]

How would the Japanese force the USA to move one of its bases in that country.

I am pretty sure the USA owns Japan after WWII.

By not renewing the lease, which the Japanese government would be fully within it's rights to do. The base remains because both of our governments want it there for various reasons. Strategically it is important to both nations and not easily replaced.

If we got shut out of Okinawa the choices are fairly limited, probably between using Iwo Jima or leasing something from Taiwan.

 

[gaidensensei]

By not renewing the lease, which the Japanese government would be fully within it's rights to do. The base remains because both of our governments want it there for various reasons. Strategically it is important to both nations and not easily replaced.

If we got shut out of Okinawa the choices are fairly limited, probably between using Iwo Jima or leasing something from Taiwan.

After Taiwan President Ma's recent speech regarding the USA intervention, you might actually be on the right track with that.

 

[K1052]

After Taiwan President Ma's recent speech regarding the USA intervention, you might actually be on the right track with that.

The Chinese would shit a cinderblock if all the forces that are on Okinawa were shifted to Taiwan. It would pretty much shut the door on the Chinese ever forcing Taiwan into a corner with it's military.

 

[Patranus]

By not renewing the lease, which the Japanese government would be fully within it's rights to do. The base remains because both of our governments want it there for various reasons. Strategically it is important to both nations and not easily replaced.

If we got shut out of Okinawa the choices are fairly limited, probably between using Iwo Jima or leasing something from Taiwan.

Or the USA could just staying there and give Japan the middle finger.

Let them try and kick out the USA but it would be pretty hard without an army.

Let them try and defend themselves, something equally hard without an army.

Like I said, the USA owns Japan after WWII.

 

[K1052]

Or the USA could just staying there and give Japan the middle finger.

Let them try and kick out the USA but it would be pretty hard without an army.

Let them try and defend themselves, something equally hard without an army.

Like I said, the USA owns Japan after WWII.

In the end it isn't our territory. Unless the US is willing to risk breaching half a century of goodwill and dismantling our most important military alliance in that hemisphere we will leave Okinawa if asked when the renewals come up. The bases on the other islands aren't much of an issue anymore so they should stay as it without a problem.

 

[theflyingpig]

The Japanese would be stupid to remove American military power from it's islands and Americans would be stupid to let the Japanese remove us. Everyone knows this.

 

[Alex@Nosound]

Politicians lie all the time so it seems.

 

[SammyJr]

I favor closing the base all together. My tax dollars don't need to support the economy in Okinawa and we need the troops to defend our Southern border. Equally amusing is that people are talking about defending Taiwan from China while at the same time forgetting that China is financing our military as well as all those social programs you guys hate.

 

[EagleKeeper]

I favor closing the base all together. My tax dollars don't need to support the economy in Okinawa and we need the troops to defend our Southern border. Equally amusing is that people are talking about defending Taiwan from China while at the same time forgetting that China is financing our military as well as all those social programs you guys hate.

Tax dollars are not intended to support the economy over there. $$ are intended to support the troops.

The constitution and/or laws; as written; does not allow us to place troops along the borders. That is the DHS/ICE/Border Patrol responsibility at present.

As stated in another thead - China may have our paper - but if they try to unload/manipulate it, it will hurt them more than us.

 

[StageLeft]

So Japan has lying and/or fvcking ignorant politicians just like the US. Gitmo, anyone?

 

[lsquare]

How would the Japanese force the USA to move one of its bases in that country.

I am pretty sure the USA owns Japan after WWII.

US military presence in Japan can only happen with the consent of the Japanese government. The US does not own the land simply because it defeated Japan in World War II.

 

[lsquare]

In the end it isn't our territory. Unless the US is willing to risk breaching half a century of goodwill and dismantling our most important military alliance in that hemisphere we will leave Okinawa if asked when the renewals come up. The bases on the other islands aren't much of an issue anymore so they should stay as it without a problem.

You're absolutely right. Hatoyama was a moron for even making a promise like that. Of course politicians makes and breaks promises, but this is a very significant issue. I'm sure Hatoyama is a realist and there's no way he can put his country's long-term security at risk by removing the Americans from Okinawa. Hatoyama's enemy shouldn't even be the Americans, but rather the mainland Chinese. I honestly think he can't tell friends from foes.

 

[lsquare]

I favor closing the base all together. My tax dollars don't need to support the economy in Okinawa and we need the troops to defend our Southern border. Equally amusing is that people are talking about defending Taiwan from China while at the same time forgetting that China is financing our military as well as all those social programs you guys hate.

From reading your comment, it's fairly obvious you lack any real understanding of US national interests. The US military is not in Japan because we feel like having a military presence there. Your tax dollars are not directly supporting the Okinawan economy.

lol, get your facts straight, the Chinese are not directly financing the US military.

 

[AzN]

Take your military out! Yankee go home!

 

[JS80]

he rearn from amelican poritician obama

 

[cyclohexane]

US military presence in Japan can only happen with the consent of the Japanese government. The US does not own the land simply because it defeated Japan in World War II.

We beat the shit out of them, therefore we could do whatever we want.