FEATURE: Base strains US-Japan relations

The future of a United States military base in the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa is creating tensions in the 50-year-old Japan-US relationship, and concerns and confusion on the Pacific territory of Guam.

In 2006, Tokyo and Washington agreed to move the Okinawa base out to a coastal region, away from the population.

The agreement also included the redeployment of around 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to the US territory of Guam.

But soon after coming to power last year, Japan's new prime minister, Yukio Hatoyama announced a review of the agreement.

Last Updated: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:50:00 +1100

A history of tension

The United States has had air bases on Okinawa since 1945, when it occupied the island chain after a savage 82-day battle.

There are now 14 US bases on Okinawa.

One of the biggest is Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, home to the 4,000-strong 1st Marine aircraft wing, and located right in the heart of the city of 90,000 people.

Residents have long complained of noise and air pollution and threats to public safety from fighter jets, transport planes and attack helicopters - a protest which intensified after the crash of a Marine Corps helicopter into an Okinawa University five years ago.

Several protests have been staged against the US presence on the island, with Okinawans angry at crimes committed by US soldiers, including the rape of a 12-year old schoolgirl by three US servicemen in 1995.

"No other place in the world has had US troops stationed there as long as Okinawa," said the mayor of nearby Ginowan, Yoichi Iha, at a protest rally last year.

"Okinawa has suffered for too long."

Relocation agreement

In 2006, an agreement was signed between Japan and the United States to close the Futenma base, and move its operations to a less populated part of Okinawa.

The "US-Japan Alliance: Transformation and Realignment for the Future" agreement would also see the relocation of 8,000 US Marines stationed in Okinawa to the US Pacific territory of Guam.

US officials had hoped to accomplish the move within six years - the process was later slated to begin in 2010, with military officials indicating the full transfer may not be completed until 2015.

The Japanese Liberal Democratic Party government had pledged $US6.1 billion to assist in the switch to Guam - a relocation estimated to cost in excess of $10 billion.

But in the lead-up to last year's Japanese elections, challenger Yukio Hatoyama indicated he would like Futenma base removed from Okinawa, or even outside of Japan entirely.

And after his Democratic Party of Japan claimed a landslide victory in last August's election, Mr Hatoyama indicated he would like to review the agreements on US troops, and that his plans for the Futenma airbase are different to those agreed to by the previous Tokyo and Washington governments.

Alliance tensions

The move has put intense strain on Japan's most important security alliance - the US-Japan security pact, which is marking its 50th anniversary this year.

Yukio Hatoyama says he wants a more equal relationship with the US, but the United States has remained adamant that it will not be moving the base outside of Okinawa.

The US had hoped for a resolution to the dispute ahead of a visit by US President Barack Obama to Tokyo last November, but no agreement was reached.

Japan has instead asked for more time on the decisions, with Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada telling US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton a decision on Futenma won't be made until May.

But Mr Hatoyama has indicated some flexibility to his position, saying relocating the whole US airbase to Guam would be "unreasonable".

And senior figures from both countries, among them US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Kurt Campbell, have been quick to reassure their people and one another of their ongoing commitment to their alliance.

"This alliance for the United States - and we would argue for Japan - is indispensable," he said.

Confusion and concerns

Meanwhile, Guam says it continues to prepare for the relocation of marines from Okinawa, despite Japan delaying a decision on the move.

The United States Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Areas, Tony Babauta says he believes the move will go ahead, but it will take longer than originally thought, and is unlikely to meet the 2014 deadline.

Shawn Guamtaotao, the spokesman for Guam's Governor, says Guam is pressing on with preparations.

"While the federal government continues to express its disappointment, we have remained optimstic," he said.

"We have to prepare, we have an impact to our local infrastructure, that's going to be key. We have to be mindful with or without the movement of marines to Guam."

The United States already has a signifcant military presence in Guam, with large air and naval bases.

Under the relocation, the existing Anderson Air Force Base will be expanded to include the air elements of the Marine Corps while a new marine base will be right next door.

Guam's population - currently about 173,000 - will also dramatically increase by more than 25 per cent in the four to six years of relocation as the 8,000 marines and an estimated 9,000 dependents.

In a series of public hearings, Guam residents have raised concerns over the effects of the move and the increased population on the environment, economy, health and safety of the people on the island.

The proposed marine base is also the last remaining native habitat for a threatened bird species, which needs to be protected.

But Marine Captain Neil Ruggiero, a public affairs officer with the Joint Guam Program Office, says the people of Guam "have a love affair" with the US military and are ready for the relocation.