Fear of breaking taboo
During my 31 years in Japan I have appreciated The Japan Times' coverage of social issues such as discrimination against ethic and social minorities, which the vernacular papers give only passing mention to.
Why then on the issue of the Okinawan bases does The Japan Times, like the other media, choose to limit discussion chiefly to whether the prime minister's flip-flops are hurting the U.S.-Japan alliance? While vague reference is made to the suffering of Okinawans, your editorials and news coverage exclude those experts who are unafraid to breach the taboo of questioning the Japan-U.S. security treaty. The result of this information blackout can be seen in the lack of critical thinking displayed by young people in "Views From The Street: Should Japan continue to host American military bases?" (May 11).
As long as some of the facts are withheld, it is only natural that people will continue to believe that despite the "nuisances," U.S. forces are needed to secure Japan's peace and, incredulously, to preserve Article 9 of the Constitution.