Richard Armitage on Japanese TV
Former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage talks to a Japanese TV program about the U.S.-Japan alliance and the issues surrounding the relocation of the US Marine air station at Futenma:
Armitage is introduced as an important member of the Reagan and Bush administrations, and as one of the people who pushed very hard for Japan’s participation in the occupation of Iraq. The interview takes place in Armitage’s consulting firm office, where we can see objects in the background that testify to his years of experience dealing with Japan.
Armitage believes that the Futenma base should have been relocated to a safer location 20 years ago, and that dragging on negotiations for years has not been a very good thing for the people who live next to the air station. When asked about the importance of Okinawa, he stresses its strategic location, near North Korea, China, and the sea lanes that Japan depends upon for economic survival.
The interviewer points out that some people believe the American military bases on Okinawa are just for America’s benefit, but Armitage strongly disagrees. He says that the alliance with Japan means that members of the United States military are obligated to fight and risk their lives for the protection of Japan, while America does not expect Japanese to fight and die in defense of American territory. Prime Minister Hatoyama has called for a more “equal” alliance with America, but Armitage doesn’t see any suggestions from the Japanese site that Japan be obligated to defend America.
After the interview, there is a comment about how Armitage really seems to care about the problems of Japanese who live near the Futenma base. However, Armitage admitted that as an American, he is looking out for the best interests of his own country.
The studio audience is told that America maintains over 700 military bases in 38 countries, which elicits surprise from the Japanese guests. A show of hands from the Japanese-speaking foreign panelists reveals that about half of them have U.S. military bases in their countries of origin.
The German panelist says that he grew up near an American base and the sight of American vehicles driving around was an everyday experience. Many people in his town saw the base as a source of opportunity. The bases would open their doors several times a year to invite their German neighbors to take part in friendship festivals. His brother even dated an American girl who lived on the base. He doesn’t understand why Okinawans have such a negative view of the opportunities for cultural interaction and internationalization.
The South Korean panelist says that people in his country have a different view of the American military because of the dangerous proximity of North Korea. There are some people who oppose the bases, but most tend to accept their necessity.
The Kuwaiti panelist says there is a huge American military presence in her country, but because their bases are isolated in desert areas, there is not much contact between the Americans and the Kuwaiti people. They are apparently not allowed to go off base and walk around in the streets of towns and cities. The German panelist points out that this would make the American soldiers feel lonely, but the Kuwaiti panelist thinks that soldiers shouldn’t be expecting to enjoy themselves.
- Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
- Dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
