The US Military's Logic: Toying with Okinawa

“I think sometimes people get this idea that the Senkakus look like the island of Okinawa or, you know, any of the other major islands. It’s a very, very small collection of small islands. You wouldn’t maybe even necessarily have to put somebody on that island until you had eliminated the threat, so to speak.”

It was April, that time of year when the cherry blossoms along the Potomac River are in full bloom. In the suburbs of Washington, D.C. a symposium sponsored by the Association of the United States Navy was held. Lieutenant General John Wissler, Commander of Marine Forces Japan, attended the symposium and gave a morning press conference to defense reporters. He expressed his opinion that, even if China were to invade the Senkaku Islands, the U.S. military would be able to provide enough power to recover the area.

In Japan, there’s a widespread notion that the U.S. Marine Corps’ presence is critical to defending Senkaku. Yet, the commander of the U.S. Marines in Japan has now flatly denied that that’s the case, stating that amphibious assault operations, which are the Marines’ primary role, would not be necessary in recapturing the islands. A large number of people might be astonished to hear such a statement.

One more thing I’d like to point out here is another quote from the same commander.* Though he’s the commanding officer, he expresses concern about the U.S. Army attempting to serve an identical function as the U.S. Marines.

“The Marines … have functioned for years as a so-called second land army.”

Roughly three years ago, the secretary of defense at the time, Robert Gates, spoke at a spring naval association lecture. He questioned how the Marine Corps ought to function, noting that they operate under an old-fashioned line of thinking that hasn’t changed since World War II. He ordered a review of military strategy, asking, “Why are such a large number of Marine Corps personnel in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan? We don’t need two land armies.”

Half a year passed, and the then Marine Corps Commandant, General James Amos, responded by stating that the military should redefine the role of the Marines, returning them to their original purpose. “Larger than special operations forces, but lighter and more expeditionary than conventional Army units … [the Marines are] a middleweight force. We fill the void in our Nation’s defense … we engage and respond quickly – often from the sea – with enough force to carry the day upon arrival.”

At one time, the role the U.S. Marines played in the Asia-Pacific region was questioned. Yet, now that we’ve moved past the trouble with Henoko, which was approved for a landfill, they’ve quickly recanted on relocating Futenma within the next five years. They talk about taking care of the Senkaku Islands by sky and sea, and they’re not even trying to hide their turf war with the U.S. Army. When I see such a display from the Marine Corps, I start to wonder if they’re not just using arbitrary logic to toy with Okinawa. I’m not convinced they’re being entirely forthcoming.

*Translator’s Note: Though the original article indicates that this quote is from Lt. Gen. John Wissler, it’s actually from previous Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.