Marines Transfer to Australia: No Justification for Stationing Troops in Okinawa

Even if the full picture is not shown, one can still piece the puzzle together little by little to get a sense of the image. If we liken the recent movements of the U.S. Marines to the puzzle, one can then clearly see from it just how weak the basis behind the garrison in Okinawa is.

According to the American newspaper Stars and Stripes, about 2,500 of the American troops stationed in Okinawa are to move to Australia. In addition, it is possible that the scale of this garrison may further increase.

Under the Asia Pacific pivot set forth by the Obama administration, the American military is to increase the activity of military exchanges in various Asian countries. Their strategy has shifted to one that will avoid spurring China into increasing their military power in excess, while closely discussing military matters with other Asian countries and surrounding China from afar with the glares of their neighbors.

Regarding the American bases in Okinawa, it has been pointed out again and again that they lie within range of Chinese missiles and that, according to an American military specialist, “getting too close to China makes one vulnerable.” In order to address these concerns, the Marine Corps has promoted decentralization to places such as Australia, Guam and Hawaii.

What we should pay attention to is the fact that, according to an agreement between America and Australia, American amphibious assault ships are to be deployed to move Marine soldiers to Australia until 2018. If a dispute occurs, over 1,000 Marines will be built up and deployed, with a strong implication that they will be sent to Okinawa to secure the Asia Pacific region.

Concerning the Marines in Okinawa, the American military reorganized once more under a mutual understanding between America and Japan in 2012, when a shift in the earth’s crust occurred. The 4th Marine Regiment of the 3rd Division was to move to Guam alongside a combat service support unit, then disperse to Hawaii, and finally deploy a task force of 2,500 for relocation to Australia. A combat force of approximately 9,000 soldiers were to be sent away to join the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which was patrolling the Pacific Ocean along Okinawa, and remain in headquarters.

The infantry group that was to be the main force in times of strife has almost emptied, and the number of the military personnel piloting airplanes and helicopters has rapidly decreased. Despite this, a new military base is being constructed in Henoko, Nagoya to substitute the Futenma Base. This is a logical inconsistency of incredible proportions.

In addition, it has been proposed that former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Joseph Nye, a man who holds great influence on U.S. Asian policy, also transfer to Australia. An opinion is also circulating within American scholars for the withdrawal of American troops back to their home country.

Even considering the expanded deployment into Australia, there is no way to justify the garrison of Marine troops in Okinawa if we consider geopolitics and military rationale first. The Americans shouldn’t be allowed to invade and construct something as foolish as the Henoko base.