U.S. to move Okinawa-based troops to Guam

     Washington DC announced on April 27th, 2017 that there are plans to transfer 4,000 out of 19,000 marines stationed in Okinawa prefecture to Guam. The transfer would take place between 2024 and 2028. Okinawa prefecture houses the majority of U.S. bases in Japan. An agreement was made in 2013 between the U.S. and Japan amid protests by residents on the island.
     The original plan was to relocate the Marine Corps Air Station in Futenma, Okinawa, but residents on Okinawa opposed the relocation. The plan included construction of an offshore landfill of Henoko, Okinawa Prefecture but residents and opponents of this plan argue that the construction would destroy coral reefs along the archipelago. Protests in February 2017 halted construction at the site.
     U.S. Marines in Okinawa have been a hassle and a controversy since three marines raped a 12-year old girl in 1995. The marines served jail time and were released in 2003. They had admitted to doing it saying "it was just for fun". Since then, relations between the U.S. military personnel based in Okinawa and Okinawa residents has worsened. Many residents wish for the U.S. military to be removed despite the central government in Tokyo being against the removal of the U.S. military.

Links:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/04/27/national/politics-diplomacy/u-s-start-moving-okinawa-based-marines-guam-2024/#.WQymmlPyuSN

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/02/06/national/protests-erupt-work-resumes-futenma-air-base-replacement-okinawa/#.WQypflPyuSM

https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R42645.pdf