United States Defence Secretary Robert Gates has ruled out a revision of the 2006 accord with Japan on the status of American forces and bases in Okinawa. However, assuring Japan of the possibility of “an alliance of equals”, Mr. Gates reaffirmed U.S. commitment to the security of South Korea, another ally, too.
The presence of U.S. forces and bases in Okinawa, for nearly 50 years so far, has often sparked protest by large sections of the Japanese people. And, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama came to power by promising an agenda of change that would include “equal” ties with the U.S. Washington had fashioned an overarching military alliance with Japan after the Second World War.
Speaking in Tokyo after meeting the Japanese leaders, including Mr. Hatoyama, on Wednesday, Mr. Gates said: “Without the Futenma facility realignment [as in the 2006 accord], there will be no re-location [of some Japan-based U.S. troops] to Guam. And, without re-location to Guam, there will be no consolidation of [other American] forces and return of land in Okinawa.”
Under the 2006 accord, negotiated by successive Japanese governments for 15 years, Washington had agreed to shift the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station from a densely-populated area in Okinawa to a different location within Okinawa itself. Mr. Gates referred to this U.S. commitment by using the short-hand of “Futenma realignment”. And, he rejected Japanese calls that the Futenma facility be shifted out of Okinawa altogether or out of Japan itself.
Also at stake now are the reduction of U.S. Marines in Okinawa from 18,000 personnel to 10,000 and a re-location of the 8,000 troops in this equation to Guam. The 2006 accord further provides for the return of some land, now utilised by the U.S. forces in Okinawa, to Japanese control. The deadline to implement the entire accord is 2014.
Mr. Hatoyama told Mr. Gates of Japan’s plans for “fresh impetus” to the bilateral alliance.
Later, Mr. Gates held talks with South Korean leaders in Seoul on Thursday. He reiterated U.S. commitment to deploy the “full range of American military might” to protect South Korea through “extended deterrence”. This includes the nuclear umbrella and a continued American military presence in South Korea, according to the Pentagon.
