Tens of Thousands Protest US Bases in Okinawa - VOA

[TomSea]

Tens of Thousands Protest US Bases in Okinawa

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered on the Japanese island of Okinawa demanding the U.S. military shut down its bases there following a rash of high-profile incidents involving service members that have made headlines in recent months.

Protesters at Sunday's rally want a plan to move a U.S. base from one part of the island to another scrapped altogether.

Dissatisfaction with the U.S. military bases on the island has been brewing for years.

The U.S. Navy said earlier this month it has banned its personnel in Japan from drinking and restricted off-base activities after a sailor in Okinawa was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.  Petty Officer Aimee Mejia was arrested after she allegedly drove on the wrong side of a freeway and crashed her car into two vehicles, slightly injuring two people.

Following the drunk driving episode, U.S. sailors throughout the entire country were banned from drinking alcohol indefinitely.

More At: http://www.voanews.com/content/japan-us/3382527.html

That's a lot of people.

[WAC]

50,000 to 65,000 is not to be ignored I would think.....US military bases  occupy nearly one fifth of the island’s territory and accommodate about 50,000 U.S. nationals, including 30,000 military personnel.

Demonstrators have also protested plans by Washington and Tokyo.. 'to move a major US Marine base'.... from the center of the island to pristine waters off Okinawa’s northern coast.

Here's some other photos....

[WAC]

 

[Labette]

I've heard some rumblings the Filipinos are questioning their wisdom in running us out of Subic Bay.  We shall see if the Japanese follow suit.