Regarding the Feb. 21 article "Futenma in the end may stay in Okinawa, (Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi) Hirano hints": I live right across from the U.S. Marine Corps air strip at Futenma. Sometimes I can see the pilots' faces during takeoffs and landings. I got used to the takeoffs after a while. I had a choice: get used to them, move somewhere else, or walk around complaining about them. I think the rest of the people around here have the same choice.
The base brings jobs and other things into Okinawa. If the base were shut down, I think we would start to hear how things have gotten worse for the local economy. Shortly after restrictions were placed on military people living and spending time off base, news began emerging about how bad local businesses were doing. The people who want the base shut down, as far as I know, are not offering anything to take its place, such as a resort or other amusement place. So, after Futenma is shut down, what then?