The outrage in Okinawa occurred on September 4. Three
American servicemen raped a 12-year-old girl. This outrage is
giving rise to a great rage in Okinawa's inhabitants. This
outrage also has a big influence on the relationship between
Japan and the United States. It will be a good chance to change
the old Security pact, which is not good for Japan. Okinawa is
noticed all over the world now.
Minoru Tada explains the recent situation of the Security
treaty between Japan and the U.S. The rape in Okinawa made
Japanese people notice the existence of the Status of Forces
Agreement between Japan and the US, and it made Japanese opinion
raise against the agreement. It is a fact the existence of
American bases had not been noticed by most Japanese people till
the rape occurred. The author insists we should know how bad the
Japanese situation under the Security treaty between Japan and
the U.S. in comparison with Germany's postwar situation. Tada
also says it is time to restudy the Security pact "following the
ending of the Cold War" ("Security pact" 16).
I think it is time to change this situation in Japan. The
world situation also hag been changing since the end of Cold War,
so we should now change our situation. We should be more
attentive to this problem. If we leave this problem uncorrected,
the situation will be come worse like a pimple on our face. We
must not be taciturn. We should be more positive, following the
German example.
We must know about the relation between Okinawa and the U.S.
bases to understand the current problems. Japan allowed the
existence of the U.S. bases when the Security Treaty between
Japan and U.S. was signed: "The U.S. fought the bloodiest battle
of the Pacific there, during World War 11, and remained an
occupying force for nearly 30 years, when it was returned to
Japan in 1972. Since then Okinawa has been host to part of the
U.S. Seventh Fleet and 26,000 troops, whose installations cover
one fifth of the island" ("The Yanks" 29). It was said "America
keeps watch on Japan not to be stronger than America" ("The
Yanks" 29). But there have been many problems of the U.S. bases
in Okinawa. For example, "last year two fighter jets and two
helicopters crashed near civilian areas" ("The Yanks" 29). And
there have been "4500 serious crimes, including 12 murders,
committed by American personnel since the island regained
sovereignty 23 years ago"("The Yanks"29).
But those cases have not raised uproar. This is the first time
Okinawa's have showed their anger. One thing that especially
angered Okinawa's is one particular part of the Status of Forces
Agreement (SOFA) between Japan and U.S. It "covers the rights and
obligations of U.S. forces in Japan. The U.S. is obliged to hand
over criminal suspects only after they have been indicted" ("The
Outrage" 17). It is also useful to know the different situation
of Japan and Germany 50 years after the war. Germany was also
defeated in World War 11. At that time, West Germany was placed
under the control of U.S., U.K., and France. The three countries
are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The
troops of NATO were stationed in West Germany as in Okinawa. But
the troops of NATO stationed in West Germany withdrew from the
country in September 1994 completely (my translation, "Yamaguchi"
188).
Minoru Tada introduces Japanese young people's reaction when
he asks, "When did the Americans begin the stationing of troops
in Japan?" Many students didn't know even the fact that there
have been American bases in Japan for a half century. And he
explains the existence of American military bases in Japan: "A
half century after the end of the war, the presence of American
military bases and troops in Japan has become as accepted as the
air we breathe" ("Security pact" 16). This tendency shows a
continued acceptance by the Japanese situation during the Cold
War. The Cold War was maintained by the opposition between the US
and the Soviet Union. It was to keep the balance of world peace.
Japan also shared in the peace. It was no worry that the US
military would become an enemy. The enemy of the US was only the
Soviet Union.
Tada also explains, "the continued use of military bases in
Japan by American occupation forces" by saying, "this was a
strategic move against the Soviet Union" ("Security pact" 16). So
Japanese people have not been aware of the presence of the US
military bases. I can understand the author's idea that "American
military bases and troops in Japan have become as accepted as the
air we breathe" (Security pact" 16), because I also had never
thought about the presence of American military bases seriously
until the outrage happened. The reason is that we thought the
presence of American military bases had no effect on our daily
life at all. But that situation was accepted only during the Cold
War.
It has been about five years since the Cold War ended. Now we
have no need to depend on U.S. power. We must protect our peace
by ourselves. We must become more sensitive about U.S. military
bases. I propose that we should accept the presence of American
bases not as "the air we breathe" but as the pimple on our
face.
Tada explains that the recent rape on Okinawa is a
manifestation of a difference in the present situation between
Japan and the U.S. and that the Security Treaty with Germany that
was under the multinational North Atlantic Treaty Organization"
("Security pact" 16). In West Germany the troops of NATO have
already withdrawn. On the other hand, the Japanese situation
under the Security treaty does not change at all. He said,
"Although this situation is permitted under a treaty concluded
between two sovereign states, it is rather exceptional that such
militarily dominating and discriminatory relations have continued
for a half century" ("Security pact" 16). He insists the recent
rape in Okinawa is the result of this discriminatory situation of
Japan ("Security pact" 16).
I had never compared Japan's situation and Germany's
situation. I think it is the best way to know how strange the
Japanese situation under the Security Treaty is. I think the
difference is a result of Japanese passive attitude described
above. The mutual Security Treaty system has been led until now
by the U.S., but Japan hasn't been able to say anything against
such discriminatory relations. On the other hand, Germany
insisted on an evacuation of NATO troops, with the unification of
Germany. I think that it is the most important difference between
Japan and Germany. The only way to change this discriminatory
situation of Japan is to say our opinion loudly. We must not
waste the recent rage of the Okinawian people.
As Tada's says, it is not good that the existence of American
bases and troops has become as accepted as the air. We should
know the Japanese situation under is exceptional and
discriminatory. He concludes "It is only natural that the
Okinawians should demand a reduction in this American military
presence" ("Security pact" 16). He says we must make the rape the
start to our understanding of "the Status of Forces Agreement
between the two countries" ("Security pact" 16) and restudy the
Security Treaty between Japan and U.S. To do so will limit the
discriminatory relations between Japan and the U.S. Now Japan and
U.S. have the biggest power in the world, and I think the
relation of the two countries should be equal. They should say
their opinion to each other, and it will give good influence to
the world. The Security Treaty is not suited the present age.
Only Japanese positive action will be able to change this
situation.
by Hiroko Ito
Works Cited
"Security pact needs restudy." Editorial. Japan
Times. October 13, 1995:16.
"The Outrage On Okinawa." Newsweek. October 2,
1995:17.
"The Yanks Are Staying." Newsweek. November 13,
1995:29. Yamaguchi Sadamu. Chiezou. Tokyo: Asahi
Shinbunsha, 1995:188
