Every story has more than one side.

Most news reports in Japan portray the people of Okinawa as victims — they suffer noise pollution from U.S. air bases, fear accidents involving military aircraft and have long felt victimized as the central government places overall priority on the security alliance with the U.S.

But from the perspective of former Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya, the top government negotiator on Okinawa base issues until 2007, prefectural leaders deserve blame for many of the problems involving U.S. bases, in particular the stalled relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from Ginowan.