Posted by
docgraff on Friday, December 04, 2009 7:33:34 PM
Hatoyama: move Futenma to Guam?
Despite heavy U.S. pressure, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama appears to have given up on resolving the controversial relocation of a U.S. Marine base in Okinawa before year's end and is now floating Guam as an option.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20091205a2.html
Comment: Moving this portion of the Marine Air Wing to Guam, though in my opinion as a long term future solution, is ultimately the right move. However, in the short term, this would essentially mean moving all of the Marines currently in Okinawa to Guam and the Northern Marianas too. The Marine Corps mission means having helicopters near the troops. Guam is 2000 Km away and thus out of range for continuing training as well as, should the worst possible scenario take place, providing air support in actual combat.
This would mean the closure of many U.S. bases on Okinawa which, in the immediate, would please only the anti-U.S. fanatics. However, in their myopic shortsightedness, they do not see the harm this will cause the Okinawan people economically. In short, though idyllic, it will do far more harm than good for the people of Okinawa!
If the Marine bases on Okinawa were to suddenly close, thousands of Okinawan’s would lose their livelihoods. In addition to the rent monies that land owners receive, thousands of local people depend on the bases for their jobs. Secondarily to this are all of the local businesses whose main source of income is the U.S. service personnel and their families. Not only would many lose their jobs, many would be forced into bankruptcy. This is a recipe for disaster.
A better solution is a smaller heliport facility at Camp Schwab that is still large enough to support the rotary assets needed by the Marines to complete their mission. Once that is completed, then a serious look at how U.S. facilities on Okinawa can be further drawn down and consolidated with a long term view of moving more military assets to Guam in the future.
Such a solution would ensure that economically, Okinawa can survive in the short term and transition to a sustainable civilian economy based on tourism and trade can be built for the future. That is a win-win for all sides. Mr. Hatoyama’s latest proposal, though politically expedient for he and his party, is a recipe for disaster for Okinawa!