Скачать или смотреть Japanese Politician Confronts Ministers

“Stop prioritizing US military training over the children living in this country.” — Watch Reiwa party leader Taro Yamamoto confront the Japanese government over its complicity in the harm caused by the US military presence in the country.

Japan remains home to the largest overseas US military presence in the world, with as many as 55,000 US troops stationed across dozens of bases nationwide. At least 70% of these bases are concentrated in Okinawa, despite the prefecture accounting for just 0.6% of Japan’s total land area.

As a result, Okinawans have long endured the consequences of this military burden, including environmental degradation, relentless noise pollution, and disproportionately high rates of crime and accidents linked to US forces.

Aircraft noise, in particular, has had severe and lasting impacts on residents’ health, including children. Yet despite these harms, Japanese authorities continue to refuse calls to suspend US military exercises on the island—drills that are frequently framed as preparation for conflict with neighboring China.