Crs Report for Congress: The U.S. Military Presence in Okinawa and the Futenma Base Controversy

Although the U.S.-Japan alliance is often labeled as "the cornerstone" of security in the Asia
Pacific region, local concerns about the U.S. military presence on the Japanese island of Okinawa
have challenged the management of the alliance for decades. The Japanese archipelago serves as
the most significant forward-operating platform for the U.S. military in the region; approximately
38,000 military personnel, 43,000 dependents, and 5,000 DOD civilian employees live in Japan.
With the United States pledging to rebalance its defense posture towards Asia, the uncertainty
surrounding the medium and long-term presence of American forces on Okinawa remains a
critical concern for national security decision-makers.
Due to the legacy of the U.S. occupation and the island's key strategic location, Okinawa hosts a
disproportionate share of the continuing U.S. military presence. About 25% of all facilities used
by U.S. Forces Japan and about half of the U.S. military personnel are located in the prefecture,
which comprises less than 1% of Japan's total land area. Many observers assert that Tokyo has
failed to communicate effectively to Okinawans the necessity and benefits of the alliance.
However, Okinawa has received millions of dollars in subsidies from the central government in
exchange for the burden of hosting U.S. troops. This year, Tokyo awarded a large amount to
Okinawa for the prefecture's economic development plan.


Author: Congressional Research Service the Libr,Emma Chanlett-Avery,Ian E. Rinehart
Publisher: Bibliogov
Published: 09/10/2013
Pages: 24
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.14lbs
Size: 9.69h x 7.44w x 0.05d
ISBN: 9781287425687

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