But 50 years later American troops are finding themselves in another battle, a battle to survive. Nowhere has that anger been more apparent than at the many anti-U.S. military protests that have been held in Okinawa. The determination to rid the island of the nearly 30,000 troops has been growing at an extraordinary rate, as has the support from top local politicians. Because most of the U.S. bases are concentrated here in Okinawa, we, the Okinawan government can't do our job to promote public welfare.
Local youth say the U.S. military poses a threat to their future.
Since the U.S. bases have been in Okinawa there have been repeated crimes. So horrific is the alleged crime and so loud have been the cries from Okinawa, that this time those in mainland Japan, who have for years been accused of turning their backs on the island, and those across the Pacific are being forced to acknowledge and address the problem. The Japanese government will strongly request the U.S. government to prevent any further crimes like this. The U.S. has condemned the rape while defending the U.S. presence in Japan. Although the case involving the rape of the little girl sparked international controversy, in the small town of Kin, the crime is hardly mentioned.