Thousands in Japan protest over US military

[ZombieHorde]

OKINAWA, Japan (AFP) — Thousands demonstrated against the US military on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa on Sunday, following a string of incidents involving US personnel, including alleged rapes.

Despite pouring rain and harsh wind, crowds took to the streets, raising their fists and shouting slogans in protest over the heavy US military presence on the island.

"We must bring our anger to both the governments of Japan and the United States," Tetsuei Tamayose, one of the organisers, said in an address to the crowd.

The rally was organised by local residents infuriated by the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl by a US Marine last month.

It was one of the largest demonstrations against the US military here since 1995, after three US servicemen gang-raped a 12-year-old, setting off a process to reduce the number of Americans stationed on Okinawa.

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Link:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jh_ODnqKV7Xj1bMi5dpVlDvwBtdw

[dysfunctional press]

1. close the bases, and bring the troops home.

that could save a little something, anyway.

[MADem]

2. I think the Japanese might change their Constitution eventually.

Right now, they have SDFs, SELF DEFENCE FORCES. Not an actual "military." They do the same thing, these SDF's (air, sea and land) but they are only for DEFENSIVE purposes.

If they want the US military gone (and there have been so many 'incidents' of late who can blame them? We've squandered half a century of genuine goodwill in the last ten years), they'll be needing a real military. Not one that just reacts, but one that can act preemtively, if needed.

And in order to do that, they've gotta go back to the old days. And the old WAYS.

Interesting times....