Sunday, April 25, 2010

US Base in Okinawa Japan Rallied Against

Some 90,000 Okinawans assembled to rally against the relocation of the US base in Okinawa. An agreement was made in 2006 that the Futenma United States Marine air station would be moved away from the center to a more coastal area. The US is hoping to move to Camp Schwab in northern Okinawa. Okinawans are not happy with this and want the base gone from their island. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama promised in his campaign that he would come up with a solution where there would be less Americans present on the island. However, he is having difficulties appeasing both Okinawans and the United States.

Protesters wore yellow to represent "giving a yellow card" to Mr. Hatoyama, whose approval ratings have dropped below 30 percent possibly due to the mishandling of relationship with the US. Mr. Hatoyama has not spoke of exactly what his intent will be now, but a there are a couple ideas floating around. There is talk of the base being moved to a smaller island nearby or creating an artificial island.

By Jenae Harner

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