[ニュース] 在日米軍再編：Calls for Steadfast Implementation

The two pillars of the new Japanese-American consensus for military security are

• 1) a reduction of around 8000 marines from Okinawa


• 2) moving Futenma Airfield to Camp Schwab

As discussed in a 5/31 editorial published in center-right Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan's largest-circulation daily, 多くの難題がある! While editorials are usually cast as "merely one man's opinion," I believe they serve as valuable indicators of the tone and temper of public debate. It should also be noted that this editorial was chosen to run on the daily's podcast as well (they only read one editorial/day).

Among these problems:

• Guaranteeing nearly 3 trillion yen (~$26.7 billion USD) in reorganization expenses

This total is inclusive of necessary maintenance of the Self-Defense Forces and related equipment. However, the Yomiuri editorial necessitates "rationalization for certain relics of the cold war era." On the other hand, the editorial goes on that as the US Military continues to build maneuverability, rapid-response, and information assimilation capabilities, so too should the SDF address similar attitudes that will foster smooth cooperation between the two (日米). This means efficient reorganization [of the newly integrated SDF - 3月下旬から始まった陸海空3自衛隊の統合], arrangement [of resources], and equipment inspections.


• Planning and scheduling for construction and moving

The issue here is described as being two-fold.
1) National expenditures based on cabinet-level decisions
2) The disconnect between National and Local (Prefectural and/or Municipal bodies)

Citing the case of the Marines in Guam, the editorial calls for a "polite explanation" as to the necessity of national expenditures for overseas American military equipment and related expenses - even while the [Japanese] government proceeds with "important" maintenance legislation.

Okinawa Prefecture felt consultations beforehand were inadequate and opposed the cabinet’s decision.

Thus, the editorial claims, the government must utilize consultations with prefectural and related municipal bodies and with this understanding proceed to quickly determine policies for construction and scheduling.

Incentive packages are written into the current decision, but funds must not be allowed to be scattered among unrelated projects. Here, the editorial cites a promise made in 1999 to invest 100 billion yen ($889 million USD @ 112 ¥/$) in Futenma over ten years, which resulted in yearly projects but produced "no discernable progress" in moving Futenma.

"National expenditures relating to regional incentives share the local burden; it's our contribution."

The editorial supposes that by responding to development plans and subsidizing the various municipal bodies, the scope of understanding will widen.

However, the business degree in me screams inefficient whenever it hears the word, "subsidy."

wind just came up, i'm going windsurfing...