Since that time, the U.S. military forces have occupied Okinawa, using land which was seized by force. Although the end of Cold War was accompanied by overall reduction of U.S. military power and closing of U.S. domestic and overseas bases, the U.S. military bases in Okinawa remain at the same level, or in some cases, have actually undergone a buildup. Half of the land is individual citizens', often taken without the consent of the landowners. The photo shows Okinawans at prayer in front of an indigenous holy site which is surrounded by tall, chain-link fence of the U.S. military base. The noise level frequently exceeds the acceptable level established by Japanese environmental standards.
Okinawan people live with the constant fear of air crashes.
The photo shows the victims of a military jet crash into an elementary school in 1959. The surrounding water and land were contaminated, but only 233 of the shells were recovered. Citizens living on a nearby island are concerned about the possible threat that the unrecovered shells pose to their health and the surrounding environment. Two years ago, these exercises were relocated from Okinawa to five other sites throughout Japan. Residents in each of the five communities now suffer the effects of the drills.