American Military in Japan
Is the American military presence on the island of Okinawa sustainable?
Strategically located to respond to threats from North Korea to Russia, Japan's southern island of Okinawa hosts over half of all US troops stationed in Japan. But has the US military outstayed its welcome?
"Kim Jong Un has launched more missiles in his short time than his father and grandfather combined", says Lieutenent General Lawrence Nicholson, the highest-ranking US military officer on Okinawa. Japan pays the US $1.7 billion per year for protection, and while the small island represents less than 1% of Japan's land, it accounts for 64% of all Japanese land used for US bases. But with nearly 6000 crimes committed by US military personnel since 1972, including the abduction and rape of a 12-year-old girl in 1995, many of Okinawa's citizens are calling for a dramatic reduction in US presence.
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