Why Does Okinawa Have So Many US Military Bases?

**Jon Mitchell’s Book Details Postwar Treaties Behind US Base Concentration in Okinawa** Author Jon Mitchell examines the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty and subsequent US-Japan security agreements that placed the majority of American military facilities on Okinawa Prefecture. The analysis draws on declassified documents and interviews with former officials, clarifying the legal framework without attributing current policy disputes to any single party. The concentration stems from decisions made between 1945 and 1972, when Okinawa remained under US administration while the rest of Japan regained sovereignty in 1952. Official Japanese and US records show that roughly 70 percent of the land area used by US Forces Japan is located in Okinawa, which comprises less than 1 percent of Japan’s total territory.

The Incident

The publication of Mitchell’s new book coincides with ongoing bilateral consultations between Tokyo and Washington on force realignment. Japanese government data from the Ministry of Defense indicate 32 US military facilities currently occupy approximately 18,800 hectares in Okinawa. These include Kadena Air Base, Marine Corps bases at Camp Hansen and Futenma, and naval facilities at White Beach. US Indo-Pacific Command statements confirm that approximately 26,000 American service members are stationed across these sites as of fiscal year 2024. Local Okinawan authorities have recorded repeated land-use conflicts since reversion to Japanese administration in 1972. The book cites prefectural assembly resolutions and correspondence from successive governors requesting reductions in base footprint, consistent with public records maintained by the Okinawa Prefectural Government.

Background

Mitchell traces the arrangements to the early Cold War period. The 1951 Peace Treaty with Japan explicitly permitted the United States to retain administrative rights over Okinawa while restoring sovereignty elsewhere. Declassified US National Archives materials and Japanese Foreign Ministry documents show that American planners sought forward-operating locations distant from the Japanese mainland to reduce political friction in urban centers such as Tokyo and Osaka. After reversion in 1972, the US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement and the Special Measures Agreement governing base costs remained in force. Both governments have renewed these instruments at five-year intervals, with the most recent renewal occurring in 2021. Mitchell’s research incorporates statements from former US Ambassador to Japan Walter Mondale and Japanese Defense Agency directors who participated in those negotiations. The geographic distribution reflects decisions made when Okinawa was still a US-administered territory. Postwar reconstruction priorities and the Korean War period shaped the initial construction of runways and barracks that later expanded. Japanese Self-Defense Forces also maintain several installations on the islands, though their combined area is smaller than the US footprint.

Response

The US Embassy in Tokyo and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have both acknowledged receipt of the book. A ministry spokesperson noted that alliance management continues through established channels, including the bilateral Security Consultative Committee. US Forces Japan public affairs releases emphasize that facilities support regional deterrence commitments under the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki has reiterated calls for relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma outside the prefecture, a position consistent with statements issued since his election in 2018. The Japanese central government has proceeded with construction of a replacement facility at Henoko Bay in Nago City, citing engineering assessments and environmental impact studies submitted to the Ministry of the Environment. Mitchell’s text includes excerpts from these official exchanges without introducing new allegations. The author attributes specific figures on land usage and personnel numbers to Japanese Defense Ministry white papers and US Department of Defense annual reports.

Implications

Discussions on base consolidation remain part of the ongoing US-Japan alliance review process. Both governments have stated that any adjustments will follow the framework of existing treaties and require approval by the Japanese Diet and relevant US congressional committees. Environmental remediation obligations under the Status of Forces Agreement continue to be addressed through joint working groups. Further updates on force posture will be provided through official joint statements following the next Security Consultative Committee meeting. Mitchell’s book adds documented historical context to these policy deliberations without altering the legal status of current agreements.

This is Prof. David Park for Global1 News, reporting from Seoul. 🇰🇷