U.S. Military Presence

Overview

The United States has around 30,000 active duty military personnel deployed in Okinawa. Making up just 1% of the landmass of Japan, Okinawa Prefecture hosts 70% of the U.S. military bases that are exclusively used by the U.S. (and not in conjunction with the Japanese Self Defense Forces). Following World War II, Okinawa was a U.S. territory for 27 years. During this time, the official currency of Okinawa was the U.S. dollar, and Okinawans were required to use a passport to travel to mainland Japan. In 1972, Okinawa reverted to Japanese control. As part of this negotiation, the U.S. was allowed to retain their military presence in Okinawa, or as Americans nicknamed it, the “keystone of the Pacific.”

Many Okinawans have voiced opposition to the bases for decades, and there is an ongoing struggle to remove the bases from Okinawa. Okinawa is currently the poorest of Japan’s 47 prefectures, and while the bases formed a vital part of Okinawa’s post-war economy, these large occupied plots of land are largely inaccessible to the public. Okinawa has devised several economic development plans to replace the bases, but the necessary cooperation and monetary support from mainland Japan has rendered many of these plans irrelevant.

For further information regarding the U.S. Military, please check here: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/okinawa.htm

Military Interactions

Most JETs will have limited interactions with the U.S. Military. For those living on outer islands, your interactions will be even further limited as there are no military bases on any of the outer islands. For those living on the main island, it’s much more likely to hear them than see them as they conduct air training throughout the day. Other daily interactions tend to be limited to seeing bases or service members in passing. Many military personnel and their families do most of their shopping and attend school on base. When it comes to off base activities, cities such as Yomitan, Chatan, Ginowan, and Okinawa City are popular destinations. Okinawa City, particularly around Gate 2, is a well known hangout among military personnel.

Note that, as a foreigner, you may unfortunately be mistaken for military personnel (regardless of your nationality).

Base Access

While it is possible to access the bases, JETs–even Americans–are not automatically granted access. Here are some situations in which you can access the base:

Special Events

During special events, the bases offer open access to everyone. Some of these events include concerts by famous musicians and festivals. During these events, please be prepared to show your Residence Card as a form of ID.

Friends with Access

Some military personnel have a base pass that allows others to enter with them. If you do enter the base with a friend, please be respectful and follow the rules of the base.

Base Pass

While rare, it is possible to apply and receive your own civilian pass.

Note: If you do enter the base, you can access most of the shopping centers and restaurants. The exception to this access are any of the commissaries and supermarkets. The prices at the commissaries and supermarkets are subsidized by the U.S. government, making them much cheaper than even prices in America itself.

English Usage

While there are many opportunities to interact with native speakers of English, most Okinawans do not have a high level of English. In areas surrounding the bases and where military personnel and their families visit, many stores employ staff members with a basic understanding of English that allows them to perform all their job functions. For more information on languages in Okinawa, please check our page on Language.