Okinawa sees chances for economic independence without U.S. bases

Okinawa hosts nearly three quarters of the U.S. military bases in Japan and those who oppose calls to reduce this burden have often said the island prefecture is dependent on the bases for its economy.However, some experts now say there are increasing opportunities for prosperity in Okinawa even without the economic benefits of hosting the bases -- which include land rent incomes and consumption by servicemen -- given recent examples of commercially successful use of land returned to Japan by U.S. forces."Okinawa's economy is no longer dependent on the U.S. bases," Yasuo Kurima, a professor…READ FULL ARTICLE