Okinawa Prefecture looks and feels almost like a different country. And a growing number of islanders say it should be just that.
Perennial anger over Okinawa's hosting of tens of thousands of U.S. troops has flared to a new level after the election of an anti-base governor and lawmakers late last year — victories that have been all but ignored by those in power in Tokyo.
Hawkish Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is pushing ahead with the construction of a new base near the city of Nago, meaning that Okinawans' homes will stay on the front line of Japan's defenses.