External threats, US bases, and prudent voters in Okinawa

Kagotani, Koji; Yanai, Yuki

doi:10.1093/irap/lct017

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Host communities ranging from Daegu to Iwakuni, for example, have traditionally elected conservative politicians favoring the status quo in base politics. Even in Okinawa, where bases are heavily contested, there is a discrepancy between the supposedly strong local anti-base sentiments and the “pro-base voting record” (Kagotani & Yanai, 2014, p. 111). This discrepancy was demonstrated in 2018, in the city of Nago, which elected a pro-base mayor despite its high-profile anti-base movement.…”

Section: Us Bases Movements and Public Opinionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Activist Disconnect: Social Movements, Public Opinion, and U.S. Military Bases in East Asia

Kim

Boas

2019

Armed Forces & Society

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Do activists seeking to challenge the U.S. military presence overseas succeed in persuading the local population? While the comparative literature on base contestation often makes implicit causal claims about public opinion and behavior, these claims have never been tested empirically using individual-level data. Based on an online survey, experiment with residents of communities hosting U.S. military bases in Korea and Japan, we demonstrate a disconnect between anti-base movements and local residents. Local public opinion is most responsive to pragmatic framing of opposition by social movements and tangible information about the consequences of base expansion. Other common activist tactics have little effect and may even backfire. Our findings fill an important gap in the growing literature on the politics of U.S. military bases abroad.

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Section: Us Bases Movements and Public Opinionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Activist Disconnect: Social Movements, Public Opinion, and U.S. Military Bases in East Asia

Kim

Boas

2019

Armed Forces & Society

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“…However, they understand that it is impossible to remove US bases from Okinawa completely within a short period of time (Fackler 2012). As a recent study has revealed, although Okinawan's attitudes toward US bases evinced a strong enmity historically, the degree of the opposition has gradually decreased since the end of the Cold War (Kagotani and Yanai 2014). Some residents in Okinawa have a flexible approach to the US bases.…”

Section: Base Activists and The People Of Okinawamentioning

confidence: 99%

When Domestic Factors Matter

Yoo¹

2014

kjis

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How and to what extent do domestic factors matter in foreign policy? More specifically, how did domestic processes in Japan impact the US-Japan agreement on relocating US bases in Okinawa? What types of domestic obstacles did the Japanese government confront in carrying out the relocation plan? Since 1996 the central government of Japan has been struggling in carrying out what it has promised to the United States: the construction of a new heliport to replace the US Marine Corps Air Base Futenma. This article looks at domestic elements that created obstacles for the Japanese government in fulfilling the commitment with the United States. It argues that although international settings provide incentives for states to choose cooperative policies toward allies, domestic variables limit the efficiency of implementing policy choices. More specifically, a clear division of domestic actors in multiple political and social layers works as a major obstacle that delays or blocks the processes of implementing alliance cooperation.Key Words: US-Japan Alliance, two-level games, domestic obstacles, Okinawa, Henoko, base activists ow and to what extent do domestic factors matter in foreign policy? More specifically, how did domestic processes in Japan impact the US-Japan agreement on relocating US bases in Okinawa? What types of domestic obstacles did the Japanese government confront in carrying out the relocation plan? Since 1996 the central government of Japan has been struggling in carrying out what it has promised to the United States: the construction of a new heliport to replace the US Marine Corps Air Base Futenma. This article looks at domestic elements that created obstacles for the Japanese government in implementing the relocation plan and fulfilling the commitment with the United States. On a broad scheme, this article explores an inextricable relationship between domestic and international politics in foreign policy outcomes. It is in line with existing works

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“…Okinawa has a distinct culture and language from mainland Japanese which, in addition to its warm climate and ocean attractions, make it a popular destination for mainland Japanese. It is also home to a number of United States military bases, which have been the cause of significant controversies over the years, taking up a significant land area, causing social conflicts due to military personnel involvement in crime and aircraft accidents (Inoue, 2004;Mikanagi, 2004;Kagotani and Yanai, 2012). At the same time, the US bases have been considered an important part of Japan`s national security (O'Shea, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%