A reminder that Okinawa and the Ryukyu islands are very much still a colony under foreign occupation.

US occupation of Ryukyuu (which itself is already occupied by Japan) accounts for 70% of all US military bases in the country, there are over 30 there. Futenma air base was dubbed as being the most dangerous air base in the world by Rumsfeld when he saw it, because they have run ways leading directly into local (seriously, go look up pictures) towns and buildings. Imagine if central park in NYC or hyde park in London were being used for takeoff/landing of military aircraft.

It was used to store Agent Orange back in the 80s, though the DoD investigation into themselves determined they were totally innocent and believable. A helicopter was flying over a school and had pieces fall off onto school grounds, another helicopter actually crashlanded at the local university. Assault by US military on locals is relatively common and the bases create tremendeous amount of water pollution, it is one of the few areas of Japan you should never drink tap water.

Tamaki is an absolute treasure as far as Japanese politicans go, he has been adamant that the correct course of action is not relocating Futenma within Okinawa, but moving it out of the prefecture entirely. Of course, nobody else actually wants to deal with the USians on their own territory. He has been a thorn in the side of the LDP, the party that has controlled Japan since WW2, for years now. He has defeated every LDP-backed politician brought against him. Unrelated to this issue, but he seems willing to work with China too, he has stated that Chinese patrols near contested territory are no real issue. I would love to see an independent Ryukyuu with a close relationship with China.

I am all for total freedom for the Ryukyuu islands as it is obvious Japan has no regards for their wishes, but for the time being I would settle for every last United States occupier to be out first. They’ve brought nothing of value, unless you happen to really like root beer.

Two days ago a car with US MIL plates crashed into a truck and broke a guys spine, injured two others. The perp fled. An Osprey helicopter had a forced landing on public airport due to some failure (which they are prone to) and prevented a domestic flight from landing. The pollution around these bases is off the charts. The size of these bases, like in Yokosuka are un fucking believable. Goddamn GOLF COURSE on base. Where the cost of land is so incredibly high the US gets it for free basically.

Three words: Yankee Go Home