??which US Bases Will Close??

[Uncle Frank]

Anyone heard any rumors? How many bases exist in Japan now? Which ones do you think might be closed?
Will the Japanese government be upset with Bush? Would base closings have any real economic effect on Japan over all, or just the area around the base that closes?
What do you think??

Frank

[thomas]

Hi Frank,

I am following events through the media, but I haven't heard of any base that's supposed to be closed down. I remember that - in order to relieve Okinawa of U.S. military presence - Camp Zama in Kanagawa will play a stronger role in the near future. The U.S. are not only planning to move 2.600 marines currently stationed in Okinawa over there, but also to relocate the Army's I Corps HQ from Washington State to Zama, plans causing a lot of turmoil among local residents.

However, I am sure some of our members may know more about this issue.

[Apollo]

The American President Bush has said that most of the American forces in Germany will go home. About 70.000 American soldiers from Germany will go home, not in one day of course - but in a timescale of 10 years.

This is due to the Cold War no longer existing, and that the Soviet Union is no longer. The enemies of the United States can be found somewhere else, hence, American forces are needed elsewhere.

About 12.500 American soldiers went home from South-Korea this year...

About Japan, it is not clear, however, as Okinawa is strategically well-situated, ie. close to China, Korea, Asia in general, I seriously doubt that the Okinawa base will shut down.

[corporate punkk]

I hope none of the bases shut down as it provides americans the opportunity to live in japan stress free (paying for rediculous rent etc) it's just nice to have, and you never know what can happen in the near future...

(ie) North Korea warned that Japan would be immersed in a "nuclear sea of fire" if the United States were to attack the North. (true story, look it up on google news)

so it's aside from having the benefits of allowing americans/ our soldiers the opportunity to be in japan worry free. it is also a viable outpost for any future/near future deployment in asia.

[akira72]

On a recent visit to Japan, U.S. defense secretary William Perry pointed to North Korea as a threat to the region, declaring that Tokyo and Washington had to be firm allies in "facing one of the post Cold War [era's] most dangerous threats: a rogue nation with nuclear weapons." This hypocrisy comes from the very imperialist power that dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and that today maintains troops and a nuclear arsenal in the south of the Korean peninsula.

Washington has its bases in Japan to maintain the imperialist exploitation and domination of the peoples of the region. It also has divergent interests from those of the Japanese capitalist class. Having a massive military presence on Japan's soil gives it an upper hand in the inevitable and growing competition that is a part of the crisis of the capitalist economic system.

The hesitancy of capitalist spokespeople in Japan to defend the status quo reflects Tokyo's growing need to defend its own interests directly, including through military power. That is why some politicians there call for reexamining the long-standing pact with Washington.

But the protests against the U.S. military show that millions of working people in Japan reject the idea that the bases and the troops have anything to do with aiding the peoples of Asia.

On Okinawa especially, the legacy of decades of direct rule by the U.S. military and the occupation of one-fifth of the island by the bases has led to deep-going opposition. The recent kidnapping and rape of a schoolgirl by three U.S. soldiers touched off a huge response because of the history of abuse at the hands of the occupying military forces. It is also true that, wherever the U.S. military sets up, centers of prostitution are organized around the bases. This is what many Okinawans, and others throughout Japan, are demanding be brought to an end by ousting the bases.

Removing the bases would be a step forward for all working people by limiting the ability of the world's number one warmaker to use its forces against workers and farmers in Asia. We should join with those in Japan demanding: U.S. Bases Out! and Yankee Go Home!

[DoctorP]

Originally Posted by akira72

On Okinawa especially, the legacy of decades of direct rule by the U.S. military and the occupation of one-fifth of the island by the bases has led to deep-going opposition. The recent kidnapping and rape of a schoolgirl by three U.S. soldiers touched off a huge response because of the history of abuse at the hands of the occupying military forces. It is also true that, wherever the U.S. military sets up, centers of prostitution are organized around the bases. This is what many Okinawans, and others throughout Japan, are demanding be brought to an end by ousting the bases.

Removing the bases would be a step forward for all working people by limiting the ability of the world's number one warmaker to use its forces against workers and farmers in Asia. We should join with those in Japan demanding: U.S. Bases Out! and Yankee Go Home!

The "recent" rape that you speak of was in 1995! And as for the prostitution in Okinawa? It is not based around the military bases, it is in the Okinawan club scene. They not only cater to the military, but also tourists and Okinawan businessmen/workers. Have you ever been here?

[akira72]

I was born 'here'..and yes I know how 'recent' this particular incident is.....