Concerning “Defense Empowerment of the Nansei Islands” and “Regression of the Burden Relief”

It was during the Cold War, before Okinawa was returned to Japan, when there was the so-called “blue sky” theory on both the U.S. and Japanese sides — that the return of Okinawa would be difficult unless the tension and threats in the Far East disappeared.

As the Soviet Union collapsed and the Cold War ended, the global call for the “distribution of peace” became more audible. Europe immediately received their share of the distribution. However, people in Okinawa did not because “the Cold War still remained in East Asia.”

In 1995, facing criticism, increased by a violent crime committed by an American soldier, the Japanese government started to repeatedly use the phrase the “relief of the military-related burden on Okinawa.”

Sixteen years have already passed since then. Although the “relief” has always been regarded as an important issue of every administration, it has yet to be advanced.

Conversely, what has been seen since last year is a functional strengthening of the U.S. military and the Japanese Self-Defense Force (SDF) against “the rise of China” and “Chinese naval advancement.”

The National Defense Program Outline and the Five Year Defense Buildup Program, approved in the cabinet meeting in December, strongly focus on the defense empowerment of the Nansei Islands.

If (1) the alternative facility (two V-shaped runways) of Futenma Air Base is built offshore around Henoko, (2) a newly added runway to Naha Airport is for the SDF use only, and (3) Shimojishima Airport becomes an emergency facility used only by military, the U.S. military and the SDF will hold six runways in Okinawa, including two inside Kadena Air Base. There will be five runways specifically for military use on the small island of Okinawa.

One F-15 belonging to the Air SDF’s Naha Base has gone missing since the morning of July 5. The plane disappeared during training about 180 kilometers northwest of Naha.

The Air SDF continues the search assuming a clash. However, only parts of the plane have been found, and the safety of the pilot remains unknown as of 6 p.m. on July 6.

What happened to the F-15? I truly hope for the safe return of the pilot. At the same time, I cannot help but express my concern and fear regarding congregating bases and military functions in small Okinawa.

The Ground SDF is considering the deployment not only of the coast guard, but also operational units to remote islands. In addition, surface-to-surface missiles are to be heavily distributed to the Nansei Islands.

Naha Air Base is expected to increase the number of squadrons from one to two. The U.S. and Japanese governments have just confirmed the relocation plan of Futenma Air Base to Henoko in the Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (2+2). The V-22 Osprey will be deployed to Futenma next year.

Where else in the world does such a place exist?

In September of 1994, Noboru Hoshuyama, then head of the Defense Facilities Administration Agency, said, “Because Okinawa possesses global strategic importance, the direction must be changed for coexistence between the base and the people.” The remark met great anger. Such an understanding indicates that the military-related burden on Okinawa is unavoidable in order to secure physical and psychological safety of Japan’s main island.

Concerns and fear held by residents of Okinawa do not stem from sentimental reasons. I would like you to know those concerns arise from people’s painful experiences of numerous accidents and crimes committed by U.S. military personnel.