Ostensibly created to maintain stability and security in the region, the US military bases actually bring more problems to the Okinawan people. Local residents literally have to pay a very high price for having foreign troops on their territory, as the maintenance of US facilities falls on the shoulders of Japanese taxpayers. In the current circumstances, the question arises: was Okinawa really returned to Japanese control in 1972, or are these events as fictional as the attempts of local authorities to “rein in” the Americans there?
This is a question that needs to be answered fo all the bases anywhere. Are they helping or hurting those around them? Perhaps this will lead to bringing more of the troops home.