US returning land to Japan that it's controlled since World War II - Polidicks

[quote]Tokyo (CNN)The US military this month will return to Japan's government more than 9,800 acres of land it has held since World War II, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said Tuesday. The 9,852 acres of land on the island of Okinawa, part of a territory officially referred to as the Northern Training Area, is in a large US military base complex on the Pacific island more than 960 miles (1,550 kilometers) southwest of Tokyo.[/quote] [url]http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/06/politics/us-japan-okinawa-land-return/index.html[/url]

This is very good news. :smile:

[QUOTE]"The government should know that the anger of the people in Okinawa is almost reaching a limit and it is not [right] to sacrifice Okinawa people for military bases anymore," he said.[/QUOTE] So the reason we've been negotiating this with Japan for a while is because the Okinawans don't like the military bases?

Japan really got lucky with the "punishment" of not owning their own military.

[QUOTE=RIPBILLYMAYS;51489090]So the reason we've been negotiating this with Japan for a while is because the Okinawans don't like the military bases?[/QUOTE] There's a lot of Okinawans who resent the US military bases. I don't really blame them either, servicemen there have had a history of going to Okinawa, getting smashed off base and causing havoc. There's quite a bit of resentment toward the serviceman in that area of Japan, which have sparked massive protests against the US base as recently as this year, following the rape and murder of a Japanese woman by a US serviceman. This isn't a generalised resentment of Americans or foreigners though, so don't stress about visiting Okinawa or the rest of Japan.

[QUOTE=The Aussie;51489324]There's a lot of Okinawans who resent the US military bases. I don't really blame them either, servicemen there have had a history of going to Okinawa, getting smashed off base and causing havoc. There's quite a bit of resentment toward the serviceman in that area of Japan, which have sparked massive protests against the US base as recently as this year, following the rape and murder of a Japanese woman by a US serviceman. This isn't a generalised resentment of Americans or foreigners though, so don't stress about visiting Okinawa or the rest of Japan.[/QUOTE] I understand why Japan would want the land back, though since we sorta won it from the results of WWII I would like to know what the US gets in exchange for returning it. They said they would keep open some helipads but that's still a downgrade vs keeping the land as far as I can tell

[QUOTE=RIPBILLYMAYS;51489353]I understand why Japan would want the land back, though since we sorta won it from the results of WWII I would like to know what the US gets in exchange for returning it. They said they would keep open some helipads but that's still a downgrade vs keeping the land as far as I can tell[/QUOTE] It's a downgrade because it would honestly be pretty shitty to try and make a quick buck off our long time ally.

[QUOTE=Radical_ed;51489148]Japan really got lucky with the "punishment" of not owning their own military.[/QUOTE] I mean, think about it. 1/3rd of Germany will forever be underdeveloped and they lost a shitload of German-speaking land to Poland and Russia. Not to mention Japanese Americans & Canadians got reparations but not Germans, Italians, Hungarians etc. Meanwhile Japan was way on track to becoming an economic superpower in the 1980's.

It's honestly not that big of a deal. The marines are going to be moving to Australia so that will keep the forward base in the pacific. Oki is going to take a bit of a hit in their economy though.

[QUOTE=UncleJimmema;51489552]It's honestly not that big of a deal. The marines are going to be moving to Australia so that will keep the forward base in the pacific. Oki is going to take a bit of a hit in their economy though.[/QUOTE] Going from having the luxury of buying used panties from a vending machine, to trying not to get killed on a continent on which everything is evolved to kill you. Have some feels for those marines man.

[QUOTE=I Am A Rock;51489649]Going from having the luxury of buying used panties from a vending machine, to trying not to get killed on a continent on which everything is evolved to kill you. Have some feels for those marines man.[/QUOTE] More like the fucking humidity, heat, swarms of flies, magpies swooping ya, finding coastal taipans in your room / in any building / in your car, funnel web spiders, red back spiders, crocs, kangaroos that can kick the living shit out of ya. There's a whole lot more but I cbf listing them all.

[QUOTE=I Am A Rock;51489649]Going from having the luxury of buying used panties from a vending machine, to trying not to get killed on a continent on which everything is evolved to kill you. Have some feels for those marines man.[/QUOTE] Marines will do fine in Australia. Much like the native fauna, all Marines know how to do is fuck, drink and kill.

[QUOTE=L'Citizen;51489754]Marines will do fine in Australia. Much like the native fauna, all Marines know how to do is fuck, drink and kill.[/QUOTE] You're goddamn right

[QUOTE=Radical_ed;51489148]Japan really got lucky with the "punishment" of not owning their own military.[/QUOTE] It's not like the US didnt get what they wanted, a containment zone around Russia and the spread of Communism. Japan lost it's millitary, gained a free one that the US was more than happy to provide, this allowed Japan to spend defense money elsewhere. Ironically enough they became a motoring powerhouse as a result and kicked the US motoring Industry / Detroit in the balls. Most of Europe including Germany, well west Germany at least, got exactly the same deal only it was called the Marshall plan.

[QUOTE=UncleJimmema;51489778]You're goddamn right[/QUOTE] Fucking Rahhhhhhhhh [editline]6th December 2016[/editline] And real talk. Most Marines hate being stationed here. The restrictions are terrible and people don't see their families for 2+ years. I can certainly say that I never want to come back here for any reason.

[QUOTE=italics560;51489977]Fucking Rahhhhhhhhh [editline]6th December 2016[/editline] And real talk. Most Marines hate being stationed here. The restrictions are terrible and people don't see their families for 2+ years. I can certainly say that I never want to come back here for any reason.[/QUOTE] Restrictions?

The Military isn't well favored outside Okinawa either. I really wish we'd close down all bases in Japan to be honest. There are a number of territories and bases we could move to that'd make way more sense, there's still heavy talk of reopening subic bay too which would probaby be best considering the South China sea is a major hotspot now.

Yes, we technically have gained somewhat of a right to have our military bases there, but it is still the honorable thing to withdraw when not needed/wanted.

[QUOTE=ZakkShock;51490022]Restrictions?[/QUOTE] from previous threads because of assaults and rapes the base has basically been locked down with almost no leave. thats what ive read anyway

[QUOTE=UncleJimmema;51489552]It's honestly not that big of a deal. The marines are going to be moving to Australia so that will keep the forward base in the pacific. Oki is going to take a bit of a hit in their economy though.[/QUOTE] I think half the Marines at Oki would rather be in Australia than Oki. [editline]7th December 2016[/editline] [QUOTE=Sableye;51490313]from previous threads because of assaults and rapes the base has basically been locked down with almost no leave. thats what ive read anyway[/QUOTE] Not entirely true, I've had few buddies come on on leave for a couple weeks before heading back. I think a lot of the Off-base liberty hours are restricted,nor do I think anyone can actually get alcohol because of so many incidents, so they said. "No more beer,booze,etc." and took it all out of the PX. Plus with base wide restrictions comes longer working hours so it's probably 17 or 18 they're getting off for the day rather than 16.

[QUOTE=L'Citizen;51489754]Marines will do fine in Australia. Much like the native fauna, all Marines know how to do is fuck, drink and kill.[/QUOTE] yut

Oki isn't that bad. My goal is to live there someday, probably working on Base.

[QUOTE=The Aussie;51489324]There's a lot of Okinawans who resent the US military bases. I don't really blame them either, servicemen there have had a history of going to Okinawa, getting smashed off base and causing havoc.[/QUOTE] Hell I'm not surprised with this sentiment. Simillar things are happening here as well, despite Rota Naval Station being the largest employer in Rota I still see graffitis and people protesting saying "Yankees go home". But going out with US servicemen on a Friday night is one of the easiest way to guarantee that you're gonna have fun that night.

I know a good buddy of mine who was stationed in Okinawa he fucking hated it, not to mention he came back with anger issues :disappoint: Plus China sends people to Okinawa to protest US military bases and to rile up the public iirc

it would suck being stationed in japan surrounded by people who dislike you, while all you're doing is your job heart goes out to you folk

[QUOTE=ZakkShock;51490022]Restrictions?[/QUOTE] A lot of curfews, no-go zones, broken "liberty card" system, it's very difficult to get a vehicle if you're not married or of a high rank, and other basic things.