Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/50920

The issue of the U.S. military bases in Okinawa has been a pawn in relations between the U.S. and Japan. Both sides seem to have been reluctant to find a real solution to the issue. This is because the solution would inevitably result in a reduced force presence in Okinawa and open a discussion on Japan's security weaknesses. It would raise questions such as: Should Japan revise article nine of its constitution? Should Japan have nuclear weapons? These are heavy topics for post-war Japan and no one seems keen to break the seal on these issues. The issue over the bases had therefore hardly been discussed until former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama raised the issue. However, his failure to relocate the Futenma marine base led directly to his resignation. This report tries to change the view of Okinawa bases as a diplomatic "pawn" and instead to use them as a practical tool to open a new horizon in U.S.-Japan relations. This author proposes a solution that changes the terms of the debate into a win-win situation for both the Japanese government and Okinawa.