Okinawa officials go to Tokyo to press
case for reducing U.S. troop levels
By David Allen, Okinawa
bureau chief
CAMP FOSTER — Nine Okinawan government officials were in Tokyo on Tuesday to press
for reducing the number of U.S. troops on the island.
They also want the national government to conduct a detailed review of the Status of
Forces Agreement between Japan and the United States, but received only a promise from
Senior Vice Foreign Minister Shigeo Uetake to seek "operational" changes in the
SOFA before considering any revisions.
Calls for troop reductions and SOFA changes are common in the wake of alleged crimes
committed by U.S. servicemembers.
The latest wave of demands for change came after a 24-year-old Air Force staff sergeant
was charged with raping an Okinawan woman on June 29.
The group visiting Uetake consisted of municipal mayors and prefectural government
officials.
Besides asking for troop reductions, they also asked that Marine training be moved
outside the prefecture and that stricter discipline be placed on U.S. personnel stationed
on the island.
It was the first time the group asked for a reduction in the number of troops —
specifically Marines — and the moving of training exercises.
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