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The Japanese island chain of Okinawa marked the fiftieth anniversary on Sunday of the top of US occupation and its return to Japan with ceremonies and celebrations amid rising fear about its proximity to an more and more assertive China.
Okinawa, a string of tropical islands off far southwest Japan a lot nearer to Taiwan than Tokyo, suffered large devastation in World Struggle II. Two months of bloody battles between US and Japanese forces left as many as a 3rd of its individuals lifeless. Practically 30 years of US rule adopted.
On Could 15, 1972, the islands have been lastly returned to Japan in what was seen as a hopeful step ahead from the warfare’s painful legacy. However at present they nonetheless host the vast majority of US army bases in Japan, a satan’s discount that has supplied jobs but additionally fed worries about crime and army accidents.
Now, as China grows more and more assertive within the Pacific area and tensions rise round close by Taiwan – a self-governed island which Beijing considers its territory regardless of by no means having dominated it – Okinawans are involved that they might as soon as extra find yourself on the entrance strains, particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“These are small islands,” mentioned a protester on the island of Miyako, host to Japan’s latest military base, declining to offer her title.
“Build up a army base is not going to defend them however reasonably make them a goal of assault.”
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will participate in ceremonies to commemorate the handover on Okinawa, whereas Emperor Naruhito will make feedback by way of videolink from Tokyo.
Okinawans have lengthy resented having to bear the outsize burden of internet hosting bases, and the difficulty has sometimes sparked large protests. Of 812 Okinawans polled by public broadcaster NHK in March, 56% mentioned they strongly opposed US bases; solely 1 / 4 of 1,115 individuals exterior the prefecture mentioned the identical.
Tensions are more likely to rise provided that lawmakers for the ruling Liberal Democratic Social gathering have mentioned they need a dedication to extra protection spending, together with missiles that may hit targets on international soil – missiles that might be deployed on Okinawa. The nation is revising its nationwide safety technique this yr.
Okinawa’s present governor, Denny Tamaki, would really like the bottom footprint decreased, however plans to maneuver some bases off Okinawa, together with sending some Marines to Guam, are transferring slowly.
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