Futenma – Asia Times

An aerial view of the US Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture July 27, 2018. Photo: AFP/The Yomiuri Shimbun

On Okinawa, local politics battle geopolitics

by Andrew Salmon February 25, 2019February 18, 2020

Despite a local referendum on Sunday that found 70% of Okinawans are opposed to a controversial US base being moved to a different part of the island, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears set to ignore the results and go ahead with the base’s relocation. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Abe said the move of […]

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, center, speaks to journalists after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Oct 12. Photo: Eugene Hoshiko / AFP

Australia, China, Japan, Northeast Asia, Oceania, World

Mr Tamaki goes to Washington

by Todd Crowell November 14, 2018February 18, 2020

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships in Okinawa. The force is in charge of security in the Ryukyu and Senkaku islands which are claimed by China. Photo: iStock

AT Finance, China, Iraq, Japan, Middle East, Northeast Asia, Philippines, South Asia, Taiwan, World

New US-Japan defense strategy proposed for strategic islands

by Stephen Bryen November 1, 2018February 18, 2020

Beijing, China, France, Japan, Northeast Asia, United Kingdom, World

Could Okinawa referendum on US base ignite independence debate?

by Hina Murayama and Temo Dias August 2, 2018February 18, 2020