[Global Focus] 'Frequent Fighter Jet Roars'... Okinawa Becomes the Frontline of US-China Hegemony Competition

Emerging as a Proxy War Hotspot Among the US, China, and Japan
New US Military Base Construction Proceeding Despite 72% Resident Opposition

[Okinawa= Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] "I really don't want to be Japanese. If you (the Japanese government) want to go to war, then you should do it."

On the 27th of last month, at the Okinawa Henoko beach where construction is in full swing ahead of the US military base relocation, dozens of Okinawa residents were protesting against the base construction in front of the construction site. Contrary to its common image as a world-renowned resort and peaceful island, Okinawa has recently become the frontline of the US-China hegemony competition, increasing residents' anxiety about the fear of war.

Despite marking the 50th anniversary of the return of US military bases to Japan last year, the wounds from World War II have not healed, and conflicts with mainland Japan continue, casting a deep shadow over Okinawa. We visited Okinawa, which is emerging as the powder keg of Asia, to hear the vivid stories of its residents.

A protest taking place at the Henoko new base construction site. The placard reads "Oppose the new base."

Continuous Opposition Protests

In front of the Okinawa Henoko base construction site, which will become the new US military base, daily "Suwarikomi" (seated protest) demonstrations are taking place. On the day of the visit, dozens of citizens gathered in front of the base shouting slogans opposing construction such as "Don't destroy Okinawa's treasures" and "US military, leave Okinawa." There was also a protest called "Gyuuho," a slow walking method like that of a cow. On the day of the visit, a woman estimated to be in her 60s was holding a sign saying "Oppose new base construction" and slowly walking back and forth in front of the construction site to prevent dump trucks carrying soil from passing.

Residents are worried that the past history of Okinawa, which was a fierce battleground between the US and Japan during World War II, might repeat itself. Okinawa is currently emerging as a new strategic stronghold of the US-Japan alliance in response to China's potential invasion of Taiwan.

The US military stationed in Okinawa is reclaiming the sea at Henoko to build the new base, and the Japanese government recently announced plans to deploy the Self-Defense Forces and expand armories in Okinawa. China is responding with military actions, escalating the conflict further. In effect, Okinawa has become a "proxy war" site among the US, China, and Japan.

Moreover, with the Ukraine war making it clear that firepower warfare can still occur in the 21st century, the unhealed scars of war are spreading fear among Okinawa residents. Residents met in Okinawa strongly opposed the construction of a new US military base while the remains of World War II victims have not been properly recovered. They especially expressed fear that Okinawa itself could again become a victim of great power wars, mentioning the possibility of Okinawa-based troops advancing to Taiwan in an emergency.

Even Digging for 30 Minutes Yields Remains... Construction Continues

According to Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), despite 72% of residents opposing the new base construction in a referendum held in Okinawa Prefecture in February 2019, the Henoko US military base construction is being pushed forward. The Japanese government maintains a firm stance, saying "Henoko is the only suitable place." Currently, soil from nearby mountains is being excavated and transported by conveyor belt onto ships to reclaim the sea. Residents are angry that the mountains, which still contain the remains of World War II Okinawa victims, are being destroyed and buried in the sea.

Kushiken Takamatsu, head of Kamafuuya, a group assisting with the excavation of remains locally, said, "When you find places where people might have hidden to avoid bombings in the past, you find remains," and began digging under rocks with a trowel and hoe. Within just thirty minutes, scattered bones were found. Looking at the bones, Kushiken said, "It appears to be a child's femur. The bones seem scattered due to bombing," and added, "The child's bones are evidence that many civilian victims, not soldiers, were among the casualties."

Kushiken Takamatsu Gamafuya, the representative, is examining the skeletal remains found in the crevice of the rock.

The scars of war can also be found in downtown Okinawa. When Okinawa was returned to Japan from the US mainland, the condition to leave US military bases meant that fighter jets still frequently take off in Okinawa's skies. In Okinawa's Ginowan City, where the Futenma US Air Force base is located, the city was built with residential areas surrounding the air base. As a result, loud noises from US Air Force jets frequently cut through the sky here.

What unsettles residents are the constant accidents caused by this. Due to Okinawa's short runway, the base mainly hosts V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, which are notorious in the US and Japan as "widow makers" due to frequent accidents. In fact, in 2004, a US military helicopter crashed into the Okinawa International University building. However, since it was a US military helicopter accident, the Japanese government was not granted investigation rights, and the US military conducted its own investigation and closed the case. Additionally, parts of a US military helicopter once fell onto the roof of a nearby daycare center.

Some even worry that the area, known as "mayonnaise ground" due to its soft soil, will require a long time and high costs for reclamation, and that even if a runway is built, it might be unusable. The area is also a habitat for the endangered dugong, raising concerns that the construction will significantly impact the ecosystem.

Rising War Tensions Amid Defense Strengthening

Futenma US Air Force Base visible from the Peace Tower in Ginowan City.

Despite these residents' opposition voices, the recent Kishida administration in Japan is pushing for defense strengthening and significantly enhancing Okinawa's military capabilities.

In particular, the Japanese Ministry of Defense has planned to fully deploy armories in the island areas near Okinawa, close to China and Taiwan. Residents fear that weapons such as tactical nuclear arms may be secretly brought in. Considering that during the US military government era, US nuclear weapons were secretly brought into Okinawa armories, there are concerns that this could happen again.

However, the Japanese government plans to continue building runways and ports in the Nansei Islands, including Okinawa. They are creating not only US military bases but also Self-Defense Forces garrisons. With military deployments already raising tensions, residents are increasingly worried about the possibility of actual conflict due to China's unusual recent military actions. The Mainichi Shimbun reported on the 13th that since last year, the number of Chinese drones appearing over Okinawa's airspace for reconnaissance has sharply increased.

Okinawa= Reporter Jeon Jin-young jintonic@

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.