Okinawa Marine Bases and U.S. Military Spending
—–Can we close the Futenma Marine Base
Without Constructing Additional Marine Bases in Okinawa? —-
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Hosted by Nago City & Network for Okinawa
When: Wednesday, February 8th 2012 11am-Noon
Where: 2456 Rayburn House Office
Who: Susumu Inamine, Mayor of Nago City, Okinawa, Japan
John Feffer, Network for Okinawa, Institute for Policy Studies
What: A briefing with the Mayor of Nago-City, Okinawa and Japanese Parliament
Member to talk about U.S. military spending and closing the Futenma
Marine Corps Air Station
To RSVP, please send an e-mail to nagomayorvisit2012@gmail.com
★ Futenma Marine Corps Air Station
Okinawa, or the “Island of Military Bases,” stations 33 U.S. military
bases. Futenma is the most controversial base located in the center of
Ginowan City. In 1995, an elementary student was raped by three service
members from the U.S. Marines, and in 2004, a helicopter crashed into a
local university. These high profile incidents fueled much public unrest
and anger as well as media coverage within Okinawa.
On January 25, 2012, Representatives Barney Frank, Rush D. Holt, Barbara
Lee, and Lynn C. Woolsey sent a letter to President Obama requesting
that the U.S. Marines withdraw from Okinawa.
★ 2006 Realignment Plan To Nago City
Under the 2006 Realignment Plan, the American and Japanese governments
have developed plans to build new military facilities in Henoko, Nago
City, Okinawa, as a precondition for closing the Futenma military base.
The relocation would destroy a valuable ecosystem including 400 species
of corals, endangered turtles and dugongs (marine manatees). Local
residents have staged a permanent protest that has lasted over 2,000
days. In fact, U.S. District Court judge ruled that developing these
plans without proper assessment in Henoko violates U.S. law.
★ Public Opposition
More than 90% of Okinawans want the Futenma military base closed without
opening any new bases in Okinawa. It is unlikely that any new facility
would be operationally feasible or politically sustainable. A strong
U.S.-Japan alliance requires a strong relationship between Tokyo and
Okinawa, but the controversy of U.S. military realignment has only
caused “turmoil and instability.”
★ Reduction in Military Spending
It is vital for the U.S. to make fundamental adjustments with regards to
our security strategy so that our military can continue to protect us as
effectively as possible while spending less federal money. Reducing our
troops in Asia without compromising our security is a necessary
condition.
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For more information contact John Feffer at johnf@ipc-dc.org or 202-234-9382
www.CloseTheBase.org
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