According to a Kyodo News survey on Saturday, 55% of people in Okinawa Prefecture are dissatisfied with the course of the island chain's history after its return to Japan from the United States half a century ago, further highlighting the burden of hosting the bulk of U.S. forces in the country.

The mail-in survey, held ahead of the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japanese administration on May 15, found that 94% welcomed the reversion itself.

Of those discontent with the aftermath, 40% cited little progress in consolidation and reduction of U.S. military bases.