Regarding Yoshio Shimoji’s Feb. 20 letter, “ Futenma is not the only problem“: My plan would be to relocate all U.S. Marine Corps bases currently on Okinawa to Iwo Jima.
In a nutshell, Iwo Jima is large enough to accommodate all marine bases. There is no civilian population. There is an existing runway used by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. It is the same size as Futenma. Most of Iwo Jima is a flat island that is actually rising each year. Rainfall is 135 cm a year, enough to supply drinking water and services.
Iwo Jima puts U.S. military aircraft to within range of potential “hot spots.” As Iwo Jima is important to their history, it would be an honor for marines to serve there. This idea merits debate and consideration. Decision-makers must realize this before Okinawa’s precious Henoko environment is lost forever.
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