PHOTOS: Thousands Protest Against U.S. Military Presence In Okinawa, Japan

It would appear that much has changed since I was stationed at MCAS(H) Futenma in the late 70s, the Ryukians (Native Okinawans) loved us, mostly. When there were demonstrations, they were usually about the aircraft noise from Kadena AFB. The "home island" Japanese did hate us, but they also hated the Ryukians so it worked as they had not been kind to the Ryukians during WWII. The Ryukians, as I recall, were not totally pleased with being handed back to the Japanese.

When I was at Inshore Warfare Center, White Beach, that was not the case and that had been the early 70s. I seem to recall a SEAL or two on 'legal hold' for the locals.

There was a bar, just off BC Street, "Club Washington" run by a little old Ryukian lady who called herself "Seabee Mama". She, her bar, and her 'daughters' were favored by the Seabees since the early 1950s or so. Both times I was in 'Oki', I frequented the place with never a problem. I'm happy to report that "Seabee Mama" didn't have the same 'daughters' both times.

But, yeah, it appears we have now worn out our welcome.

I wonder if there isn't an uninhabited, or under developed island out there, perhaps with an old WWII Seabee built base moldering on it, with room for the more raucous elements? Truk? Guadalcanal? Iwo Jima? I'm not certain about the geography.

They were protesting our presence in the 90's both time I was there. This is nothing new.

The bar district and Naha will board up hard and fast. The Okinawans don't make enough to remove the void that the military leaving for Guam will entail, and Mainland Japan knows this.