http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8574208.stmThe names of 200,000 Japanese troops and civilians are engraved in granite at Okinawa's memorial park, remembering the last major battle of World War II.

Alongside them are the 12,500 Americans who also perished in the brutal, inch-by-inch fight for the small, tropical island of coral 1,000 miles south of Tokyo.

"The United States has been here ever since, but a peace deal signed 50 years ago was not an equal one, agreed in the aftermath of war, surrender, then occupation.

There are now 24,000 US troops on Okinawa, most of them marines, and their bases, airfields, housing and training facilities cover a fifth of the island.

The people of Okinawa felt their lives were sacrificed in the war for the sake of the country, and they now believe they are shouldering more of their share of the burden of hosting US forces - with three quarters of American facilities in Japan on their small island...."
Source BBC.

Dear Examinator,

American bases throughout the world -
particularly in unstable regions
act as a deterent and a first point
of response against any aggressive
action in the region.

It also provides security to Australia.
With the instability in North Korea
and certain neighbouring regions it is
good to maintain American presence in
the Pacific.

cont'd ...

I forgot to add that the Americans have learned
that at the start of World War II - the concentration
of their Pacific power in Pearl Harbour was a disaster.
As a result their forces today are spread out throughout
the Pacific which includes Okinawa, South Korea, Guam,
Taiwan, the Phillipines, et cetera.

The Okinawans should welcome the Americans for the diversity and multiculturalism they bring to their otherwise insular, homogeneous population.

The Pentagon's reason for the presence of miltary bases in foreign countries is to secure America's interests by deterring attacks as a first line of defence.

They also “serve the national economic interests of the United States, ensuring access to markets and commodities needed to maintain the American standard of living…” and are a “visible expression of the extent of America’s status as a superpower”.

Another argument “sees them as positive expressions of American character, and particularly its humanitarian ethos.” The Pentagon portrays itself as a benefactor, a liberator, and helper on the scene at times of natural or other disasters.

They also claim bases are “gifts to other nations, both as defense sites and as wealth generators. They represent American altruism and sacrifice” when, in fact, they’re for hardline dominance intolerant of opposition, national sovereignty, democratic freedoms, and social justice.

Instead of providing safety and security, they often incite antagonism, opposition and blowback against an American occupier and enemy.

They are also hugely profitable for the defense establishment and related industries. When (and if) they pull out of an area they leave horrendous pollution behind for the inhabitants to clean up.

I wonder have many foreign governments are allowed to have miltary bases within US borders?

What would the consequences be IF they left?

Yes StG, the loss of enough jobs, & business failures to make Okinawa a depressed area for the next 20 years.

When the US closed those bases in the Philippines, it ended up costing over 350,000 jobs, just in the local areas.

These things require serious thought, before the flag waving brigade get their way.

The Roman Empire at its height in 117 AD needed thirty-seven major bases to police its realm from Britannia to Egypt, from Hispania to Armenia.

At the peak of their empire in 1898, Britain had 36 naval bases and army garrisons.

America had about 38 large and medium-sized facilities in 2005 but also a total of 737 military bases in other countries.

There are 14 bases on Okinawa that take up that 18% of the land mass of the island. How much do they need?

After those local rape incidents of 1995 and 2008 there has been considerable tension between the military and locals. I don't think they would be sorry to see the bases go, despite any economic consequences.

I found this old song on the web by the
Andrew sisters. I wonder how the natives
in Okinawa would respond to it today?

"If you ever go down Trinidad
They make you feel so very glad
Calypso sing and make up rhyme
Guarantee you one real good fine time

Drinking rum and Coca - Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Working for the Yankee dollar

Since the Yankee come to Trinidad
They got the young girls all going mad
Young girls say they treat them nice
Make Trinidad like Paradise

From Chicachicaree to Mona's Isle
Native girls all dance and smile
Help soldier celebrate his leave
Make every day like New Year's Eve

Drinking rum and Coca Cola ..."

“Down the bay where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop

But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls swaying to and fro
I must declare that my heart is there
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico

But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Down at the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their head they bear
Ackie rice and salt fish is nice
And the rum is good any time of year

But I'm sad to say, I'm on my way..."

Well all songs aside - this topic seems to
have come to a standstill, which is a pity
as it's one that really deserves more attention.
The battle of Okinawa was quite horrendous if
anyone wants to do a bit of research. And the
question of American bases is a very pertinent
one.

Anyway, here's a website that may be of some
interest:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7059805.ece
US may have to move troops from Okinawa to reduce military ...

The US seems to be able to explain the need for its bases
in Okinawa by explaining that they are -

" Protecting Japan against regional threats such as North
Korea's nuclear weapons and from China's building up its
military year after year ..."

However thousands of people from all over Japan are
protesting against the presence of US bases...

It shall be interesting to see what the final result
will be.