End of American presence in Okinawa? Japanese minister wants to revise agreement

The new Japanese government minister for affairs of Okinawa and "Northern Territories" - four Russian islands (from the islands of the Kuril Islands) disputed by Tokyo, Tetsuma Esaki, was in favor of revising the agreements with the USA on the status of US troops.

"It is necessary to revisit the agreement on the status of the [Armed Forces]," the Kyodo news agency quotes the new minister.

According to him, "the government must respond appropriately to the emotions of civilians and tell the US what should be said, even if it takes time, but reacting is vital."

According to the agency, Tetsuma Esaki is responsible for matters related to the economic development of Okinawa prefecture. For this reason, it is unusual for him to raise such sensitive issues as the review of the status of US troops.


It is noteworthy that the minister made this announcement when the Japanese government asked the United States to stop flights of Osprey military aircraft after falling a military helicopter of this same model on the east coast of Australia.

Okinawa deputy governor Moritake Tomikawa met with the US military commander in Okinawa, Lieutenant General Lawrence Nicholson, and expressed his displeasure at the United States not to cease flying on Osprey aircraft despite repeated requests from local authorities And residents.

Although the deputy governor of Okinawa has asked the US to stop using the Ospreys until at least the investigation of the accident occurred, the station revealed that the flights continue to be carried out in the region from the North American base of Futenma, Same city hall. The US military official replied that "Osprey helicopters fly around the world and military policy is like that."

According to data supplied to Sputnik by the city hall administration, Okinawa has 25,800 US military personnel and 19,000 family members and civilians from the United States. The region accounts for 70% of all US military structures in Japan, although Okinawa accounts for only 1% of Japanese territory.

In addition to the psychological discomfort caused by aircraft noise, Okinawa residents are concerned about environmental pollution and rising crime - caused by the air base.

In January of that year, the US and Japan signed the agreement that limits the immunity of some military personnel who are on duty on that basis.