Two Plus Two: The Henoko Draft Freezes Foolishness

We should have the wisdom to stop. We should not impatiently advance the problem of relocating the American Futenma Air Force Base in Okinawa.

However, at the meeting between Japanese and American Foreign Policy and Defense Consultative Committees (two Japanese plus two American committees), both governments tried to settle a dispute over concrete plans for the runway in the Henoko area of Nago.

The issue is whether to proceed with the two runways in a V-shape — a plan that was decided during the Liberal Democratic and Komeito coalition administration — or to go with a single runway, or I-shape, which the Japanese have newly proposed in consideration of the environment and in an effort to diminish the size of the area that must be developed.

They have postponed the final decision, but even without beginning to obtain approval from Okinawa, the final draft is expected to support the V-shaped American plan.

Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa strongly opposed Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima’s view of a complete removal of Futenma from Okinawa, calling it a pipe dream. But between Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan’s announcement that he will resign, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates approaching retirement at the end of the month, why decide on a plan that will hurt relations with Okinawa?

Even solving the problem could, in fact, make the situation worse.

Whether it is a V-shape or an I-shape, the fact of the matter is that Okinawa and Nago City are united in their opposition of Henoko, making the project virtually impossible.

In America, an influential bipartisan member of the Senate issued a statement seeking plans to abandon Henoko. The next Secretary of Defense, CIA Director Leon Panetta, responded to the U.S. Congress that together they will “determine what the best and most cost effective approach would be.”

The bitter reality is that the opportunity to find a solution is only beginning to bud.

This time, the two plus two committee has decided that the goal for the relocation of Futenma will be postponed until 2014. They will not establish a new deadline, but will instead pursue a “design that can come into reality as soon as we are able.”* In the present situation, a breakthrough is nowhere in sight.

The reality of the situation is not fixated on Futenma. On top of both Japanese and American governments rethinking the conditions, it is time to think seriously about a new direction.

In which case, any kind of examination also includes a premise of rebuilding a relationship of trust with Okinawa.

One thing that may hinder the developments in the relationship with Okinawa is the problem of deploying the new U.S. Marine Corps Osprey transport aircraft.

Okinawa citizens strongly oppose the deployment of Osprey because of the fatal accidents that occurred during its development. Beginning with the issue of noise in the area, it is necessary that both Japanese and American governments respond accordingly to Okinawa’s requests for information.

Not working diligently to obtain the consent of the locals and enforcing the deployment of the Osprey will only negatively influence the settlement of the relocation problem.

*Editor’s Note: This quote, although translated accurately, could not be verified.