Evening star., 1953-06-14
Japan Is Making Her Own WAY

Three Of the main topics Of con-
versation in Japan'S teahouses these
days are the wave Of local protests
against United States armed forces
stationed in the country, the prob
lem Of repatriating Chinese who
want to go back to Red China and
how to increase non-strategic trade
with Communist China and Russia.
The cumulative effect of these
three issues is not, as might be ex-
pected, likely to be split with the
West, or an estrangement from the
United States. Japan is merely
using its regained independence to
pursue its own interests, rather than
modifying its policies to suit those
who beat her in World War II. ia
pan still intends to remain a nem-
ber of the Western bloc.
Uchinodo Incident
Most widely discussed among the
popular protests against American
bases Is the so-called Uchinada in
cident. Uchinada, which means
trough sea in sheltered place." is
the site of an American anti-air-
craft firing range on the southwest
coast Of Honshu, Japan's main is
land. There is a sand dune area
at Uchinada, looking out over the
Sea Of Japan. It provided an ideal
site for AA target practice. so the
early American occupation forces
LEASED" it (without any back talk
then, Of course). The latest lease
ran out last April 80.
Local residents bore their cross
IN silence while the occupation
lasted, but they grew to dislike the
IA range for two reasons. Firing
made a lot of noise; and the fish
stopped running. What Is more,
Uchinada fishermen had to stay
completely out Of accustomed waters
on firing days. When word got
around that Uncle Sans lease was
expiring, Uchinada invoked a new
democratic method perfected during
the occupation. The people protested
to their Congressman Gin this case
their Diet representatives. and to all
other national, prefectural and local
officials they could think of. The
government stopped to listen.
Other reasons for resisting the
renewal soon were brought up. It
was charged that American soldiers
in the area corrupted the morals
Of the young people in the area.
Here was an issue tailor made for
the Communists and left-wing So
cialiStS, minorities which have con-
sistently opposed American bases in
Japan. And recent elections fur
nished them with forums up and
down the country.
A few days ago, however, the
Japanese government made its de-
cision. The United States forces
would be allowed to lease the firing
range again. American troops (only
~ officers and men were involved)
were abSolved Of morals charges.
And the people Of Uchinada were
promised additional compensation
for the Inconvenience.
This new, democratic method Of
popular protest got such good results
for Uchinada that the technique
has spread. In central HonShu.
mass meetings are being held and
petitions circulated in protest
against United States Army maneu-
verS planned for the foot of Mount
ASama, o volcanic peak about half
o days drive from Tokyo.
Friendship or InfiItrotion?
While these anti-American incl
dents were waxing hot, Communist
China made what was interpreted
on the one hand as q friendly geS-
ture and on the other as an inflltra-
ton by Red agents. The Commu-
nists agreed to allow repatriation Of
- IN unspecified number Of Japanese
living In Red China. Sixteen thou
sand were returned. Then the Red