The ongoing military base debate

The question of whether or not Okinawa (or more broadly, Japan) should play host to a U.S. military presence is not a new one. In recent months, however, it has once again come to the forefront as Japan and the United States attempt to hammer out a solution to the Futemna base relocation issue. U.S. military bases are unpopular where they are currently situated in Okinawa, so Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama is having a great deal of difficulty resolving the matter. President Obama has said that in order for a plan to be accepted, Hatoyama must choose a new location with an acceptable degree of local support. But as no one seems to want a military base next door, Hatoyama has no such support for any of his prospective relocation sites.

I don't know how statistically representative the Japan Times surveys are, but Japanese citizens (on the mainland, anyway) seem split on the issue. Understandable, as it's not really an easy topic. I'm not sure how I'd feel about a foreign army occupying the U.S., even if it were for purely cooperative, defensive purposes.

That said, I do think the Japanese are better served by accepting a U.S. military presence. There are pro's and con's, of course, but it seems to me that the Japanese are getting the better deal here. The Japanese government must provide land and pay for some of the bases' expenses, but in exchange does not have to raise, train, or arm its own military. Japan does have a standing national guard of sorts - the Self Defense Force, but its functionality is limited by Japan's constitution. Although military bases do cause noise pollution and some soldiers have committed crimes (such cases should not be taken lightly), the bases also bolster the economies of their host communities. Not too long after Futenma is moved, the local community will become much more peaceful...and then the economy will sag and I'm sure some jobs will be lost when U.S. serviceman and woman are no longer patronizing local shops and restaurants.

Sure, the U.S. benefits from these bases by holding a strategic position in the Pacific. If we were to lose this one, though, we do have others. South Korea isn't too far.

If I were Japanese, I would probably want the world's most powerful military nearby, considering the proximity of the crazy Korea, which now has nukes and long-range rockets. Ultimately, though, the decision is Japan's.

What do you think? How do you feel about the U.S. military presence in Japan?