Japanese have wide perception gap about US military in Okinawa

Mainichi Shimbun
June 22, 2005

There is a wide perception gap over the necessity of U.S. bases in Okinawa between residents of the southernmost prefecture and those living on mainland Japan, according to a survey conducted jointly by the Mainichi Shimbun and the Ryukyu Shimpo. The Mainichi surveyed people randomly selected throughout Japan -- including Okinawa -- over the weekend, while the Ryukyu Shimpo, an local Okinawan newspaper conducted the poll on local residents from Friday to Sunday, prior to the 60th anniversary of the end of the Okinawa battle on June 23, 1945. Of the respondents, 47 percent nationwide pointed to the necessity of U.S. bases in Okinawa Prefecture while only 30 percent of Okinawa residents said U.S. bases in the prefecture are needed.

On the other hand, 45 percent of the pollees throughout Japan said U.S. bases in Okinawa are unnecessary while 70 percent of Okinawans said such military facilities are not needed. The results illustrated the perception gap between mainland residents and residents of Okinawa Prefecture, where 75 percent of U.S. bases are concentrated in terms of land areas, over the burden of hosting U.S. bases. Of those in the national survey who responded that U.S. bases in Okinawa are necessary, 67 percent cited the need to defend Japan and surrounding areas.

Among Okinawa residents who support U.S. bases in the prefecture, 50 percent answered they are effective in vitalizing the local economy while 40 percent cited security reasons. This suggests that a large number of Okinawans think they have no choice but to accept U.S. bases for economic reasons to secure jobs for local residents rather than for the defense of Japan. Of the pollees opposing U.S. bases in Okinawa, 49 percent of the respondents in the national survey and 70 percent of Okinawans pointed out that Okinawa bears an overly heavy burden of hosting such military facilities. Over half -- 55 percent -- of those in the national survey said they would voice opposition if U.S. bases were moved to their neighborhoods.

Mainichi Shimbun