Stability, merit system among factors
luring Okinawans to seek jobs on bases
By Chiyomi Sumida, Okinawa
bureau
OKINAWA CITY — Despite fears that U.S. bases on Okinawa could be targets for
terrorists, Okinawans still covet jobs with the U.S. military.
At least that was the sentiment of about 60 people who recently attended a business
school that offers courses in English conversation, military language and acronyms,
military titles and other skills that improve their chances for working for the U.S.
military.
"Even after the attacks, people continued to call our school with inquiries,"
said Hitoshi Akamine, director of the International Education Institute. "They still
want to work on a military base. Our school starts on next Monday as scheduled, and both
classes in Naha and Okinawa City are full."
One of the hopefuls was Junei Shimabukuro, 28, a laboratory technician for a local
environmental research institute that tests air and water quality. He hopes to work at a
laboratory on a military base.
"I have been wanting to study abroad and put myself in an English-speaking
environment," Shimabukuro said. "But it was not possible because of financial
reasons."
Shimabukuro learned through a newspaper advertisement that there were Japanese
positions for laboratory technicians available on military bases.
"My eyes brightened when I saw that there might be a chance for me," he said.
"There is little information available [on how to get a base job] and I did not know
where to start."
Many people see the school as a door leading to employment on a military base. As of
Aug. 31, about 8,600 Japanese personnel were employed on 24 military facilities on
Okinawa.
"After placing the advertisement, we have received over 200 inquiry calls from
people who are looking for a job on a military base," Akamine said. "About 80
percent of them have jobs now, yet, they are seeking opportunities to be hired on a
military base."
He said that because of the prolonged economic recession in Japan, people want the
stability base jobs offer.
"Employment on military bases guarantees a stable job, good income and decent
working hours," he said.
The shaky Japanese economy has hit Okinawa, the nation’s southernmost prefecture,
hardest. The unemployment rate in July was 8.9 percent, the highest in Japan, and the
second highest rate of unemployment since Okinawa reverted to Japan rule in 1972.
Last year, 17,232 people applied for 695 open positions on military bases for Japanese
on Okinawa. So far this year, 21,854 applicants have filed for what is expected to be the
same number of openings.
And that figure is expected to rise when additional applications are accepted in
November.
The merit system on the bases is another attraction, Akamine said, noting that Japanese
employers routinely practice age and gender discrimination when hiring.
"We heard that a 52-year-old woman was newly hired [for a base job] a couple of
months ago," Akamine said. "Anyone who works with enthusiasm and ambition will
be rewarded. This is the system many people are attracted to and it is what inspires them
to apply for base jobs."
At the school, Hirota Kameshima, 23, attentively listened to a briefing. He is a waiter
at a Chinese restaurant that caters mostly to Americans.
"I can take orders in English and I have always wanted to work with American
people, " Kameshima said.
He hopes to get a job at a military restaurant or cafeteria. He applied for a job last
year, was unsuccessful, but remained hopeful.
Miho Kina, 27, a registered nurse, was also unsuccessful in her first attempt two years
ago, when she applied for a nurse’s position at a military hospital. "It was
because of my lack of command in the English language," she said.
Kina then went to Australia to improve her language skills. After intensive English
language training for nine months, she returned to Okinawa to try again.
Hiroichi Isa, 22, a college senior majoring in aircraft maintenance at a university in
Kagoshima, said he did not expect to find a job on Okinawa until he saw the ad.
"When I found out that aircraft maintenance jobs are available on military bases,
I was very happy because I may be able to come back to Okinawa to work," he said.
Shinichiro Isa, chairman of the All Okinawa Garrison Forces Labor Union, said there are
talented and qualified people wanting to work at the U.S. bases.
"Each year, more and more people with high educational backgrounds apply for
military base jobs," he said. "It is certainly a buyers’ market."
Tuition for the International Education Institute is between $2,100 and $5,600,
depending on the length of the course, which is between three months to one year. Classes
include English language skills, international business protocol, military language,
computer skills and interviewing skills.
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