Does the relocation of US military personnel from Japan to Guam has anything to do with cost cutting? -

Is it less expensive to operate from Guam than from Japan?

Let s be more specific. The US military is relocating Marines from Okinawa, Japan to Guam and not necessarily for cost cutting reasons. Japan is bringing political pressure on the US because of the actions of some bad apples and I ll leave it at that. Suffice to say the actions of a few have brought shame onto the Marines in Okinawa and the resulting pressures from the Japanese government did not fall on deaf ears. Credit our military leadership for their sensitivity to the Japanese.

It s more because Japan doesn t like having so many US military there. There has been numerous accounts of military acting stupid there and I m sure this is just one way for Japan to cut down on it. I just hope that the rate of military incidents does not go up on Guam because of it.

The Japanese have been trying to get the military out of Okinawa for years. Yes, part of it has to do with the behaviors of a few effecting the image of the Marines/military at large. It also has something to do with space..the military occupy a large amount of space in Okinawa. That part of the country has experienced huge growth in the tourist industry, as well as general population growth. There isn t a lot of available space left, so the acreage the bases hold is even more desirable. And, the US military does not quot;ownquot; any of the land foreign bases are on..we rent it. The landlords can always decide not to renew the lease and that seems to be what is finally happening here. The military will not be moved completely out of Japan..not by a long shot. While Japan does have a military, it is extremely small and they are still very concerned with Korea and China...our presence there provides them with more than they would get by demanding we completely leave the country.

Japan has been asking the US to leave for decades. Between the rapes and several murders over the past few years it s gotten worse. So far this year the US have arrested two Marines on charges of rape.

Change is constant, a waste of time to question and will continue. Do not try to analyze it, it will make you crazy OR be a blinding flash of the obvious. I am guessing the later is not happening. SSG US Army 73-82

Probably had more to do with Japanese relations.