Okinawa bishop: Close US military bases
June 27, 2011
The bishop of Naha--Okinawa’s capital city--has called for the closure of US military bases in the Japanese prefecture.
“Japan has enjoyed peace for over 60 years, but the war has still not ended in Okinawa,” said Bishop Berard Toshio Oshikawa, a Conventual Franciscan.
An estimated 12,500 US troops, 95,000 Japanese troops, and up to 150,000 civilians lost their lives in the Battle of Okinawa, which took place in 1945.
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Further information:
- Interfaith group seeks end to US bases (UCA News)
- Okinawa Prefecture (Wikipedia)
- Battle of Okinawa (Wikipedia)
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Posted by: AgnesDay -
Jun. 27, 2011 3:40 PM ET USA
I agree, Cornelius. I doubt that the Japanese would be able to resist the incursion of a growing Chinese naval presence if we left.
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Posted by: -
Jun. 27, 2011 10:37 AM ET USA
Thus, the Bishop demonstrates again why clergy should be circumspect in wading into politics. The U.S. presence in Okinawa has been a successful demonstration of U.S. resolve to counter the bad guys in that region - China and N. Korea to name two - and to that degree has been a potent force for peace.
