In response to today's lecture/discussion on the bases - e-mail to Professor Pekkanen

Hi Eveyone,

Please Read:

In response to today's lecture/discussion on bases in Okinawa.

Today in lecture I asked; “what are possible solutions to the U.S. military occupation in Okinawa?”

In response, Douglas Miller (T.A.) argued three actions which are the solution. These actions struck a chord with me and I wrote them down. Douglas argued that 1) Japan needs a revision of its constitution and 2) elimination of article 9 as well as 3) a "re-militarization" of Japan.

I disagree.

I know many scholars who agree with these ideas however I think they would be a huge mistake for Japan. Many people think that changing the constitution and eliminating article 9 means becoming "normal" and catching up with the rest of the world through regaining sovereignty. However I wonder what is normal and what is Japan catching up to? If the answer is the U.S. this is a mistake. The U.S. is too militaristic and if it's considered the country which is normal that is terrifying. The U.S. has been in and out of wars in the last 50 years and Japan hasn't. This is because the U.S. prefers to deal with the rest of the world through military force and violence. However the scars from WWII are still imminent especially in Okinawa and Japan has to become more democratic and less militaristic.

Okinawa has never had a history of military power until the U.S. occupation. Many argue that the U.S. military is making Okinawa safe. Instead it is the opposite. 74% of all U.S. military facilities rests on Okinawa covering 20% of the area. This makes Okinawa a target as the U.S. military increases its influence and power. Okinawa lost 1/3 of its civilian population in the Battle of Okinawa. It was more than the number of loses of Nagasaki and Hiroshima combined. After being colonized by both Japan (reversion) and the U.S. it is only fair to say that Okinawa has suffered enough. This is not to mention the noise, population or attacks on civilians by soldiers on the base.

While the new constitution has arguably made Japan subordinate to the U.S. and has lost its sovereignty, Japan needs the new constitution and article 9. Japan doesn't have the man power to amount to a great military for one and the removal of article 9 will be a demonstration of Japan giving up its apology of its many war crimes. In order to move forward, history cannot be ignored or forgotten and war memories continue to live on.

I came up with my own solution to my question and I want to know what you think in return.

What I believe it comes down to is Japan eliminating its discrimination of Okinawans. By doing so, Japan can share the burden of the bases so that Okinawa with only 1% of Japan's population can regain some of its land and respect back. There are parts of Japan and even islands in "strategic locations" that have no populations. If Japan is willing to accept Okinawa and pay the U.S. will follow.

I've been reading texts by Professor John W. Dower and find him insightful. I'm sure you already have worked with him. I'm curious as to if you may have an e-mail of which I can use to contact him in regards to my question.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Alice

#japan #peacetreaty #okinawa #article9 #newconstitution #war