The three were part of the 28,000 US troops stationed in the prefecture. Although Okinawa makes up just 0.6% of the total land area of Japan -- almost exactly the size of Los Angeles -- it hosts 75% of all US military forces stationed in Japan. Okinawa prefecture is composed of the Ryukyu Islands, with the main island being Okinawa island. US bases occupy 11% of the total land area of the prefecture, including 20% of the main island and 40% of six Okinawan cities.

The 1995 rape case exacerbated long-standing resentment against the US military presence in Okinawa. Outraged local people held numerous demonstrations, and calls increased for the reduct

With virtually guaranteed freedom of use of its bases, located on a strategically important position and with generous host nation support, the US perspective on the Okinawa problem is to ensure a stable, continued presence so long as its national security requires it. To accomplish this, the US wants its forces on Okinawa to be seen as welcome guests. Moreover, the US will use Okinawa as leverage to achieve other concessions from Tokyo when necessary.

Though the US bases do provide for some economic benefits for the islands, much damage is also done to the regional economic development of Okinawa due to locations of the bases and the restrictions imposed upon the cities and residents located near these bases. Futenma MCAS is the cardinal example: the base occupies a great area right in the middle of Ginowan city. In order not to obstruct US aircraft using the air station, the height of buildings is restricted in certain areas. (One newly built apartment house was recently ordered demolished because the US objected that it obstructed military aircraft using the base. In addition, roads, waterworks, and sewerage systems must be routed to avoid the base, which creates a major obstacle in improving the city's infrastructure.

The Futenma MCAS is a good example of the US perspective and interests. When Hashimoto raised the issue of Futenma MCAS early in 1996, the US agreed to return the base, but only for a price. The return of Futenma was to serve both as a measure to maintain Japanese and Okinawan support for the alliance and bases in the region, as well as to obtain concessions from Tokyo regarding regional security challenges. Tokyo agreed to assist financially and substantively with the realignment of Okinawan bases as well as to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation by signing the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which mandates Japanese logistical support for US forces during peacetime. Bilateral review of the guidelines for US-Japanese defense cooperation was also initiated.

"Problems of U.S. Military Bases in Okinawa."

The Okinawan perspective is mixed, with one side wishing to continue to host US Forces on the islands and another side wishing to eliminate all bases. The fact remains, though, that Okinawa is dealing with two parties, the US and Japan, each trying to exploit the prefecture for its own purposes. Whether the US Forces are to remain or to go, the Okinawans want more cooperation from both governments in dealing with the base problem in their prefecture.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Futenma MCAS, Air Base, Self-Defense Forces, Situation Control, Hague Convention, Ota Masahide, Agreement SOFA, Ginowan City, Ryukyuanist According, Forces Japanese, futenma mcas, military bases, bases okinawa, military bases okinawa, okinawan people, accessed 19 march, march 2001, available internet, online available, available internet accessed, military personnel, internet accessed 19, 19 march, 19 march 2001, okinawa governor,
Approximate Word count = 5313
Approximate Pages = 21 (250 words per page double spaced)