The administration of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has played down Japanese public sentiment against the U.S. military presence, believing that most people approve of it in general but object when their own community is affected.
However, strong anti-U.S. military sentiment in various communities -- exemplified by the opposition shown by Iwakuni (Yamaguchi Prefecture) residents in a March 12 referendum to a plan to host carrier-based warplanes at the U.S. Marine Corps air station there -- could change the generally favorable public opinion. The government should closely watch public opinion on this issue.
As for the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, many Japanese are irked by reports that Washington is asking Tokyo to pay 75 percent of the estimated $10 billion cost to relocate 8,000 marines from Okinawa to Guam.