In his Oct. 30 letter, "" Scott Kenny warns of the economic harm that could result from the closure of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
His argument implies that military bases are the only way for the United States to invest in Japan. A much more productive road would be to close the Futenma base and for Japan to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This would attract foreign firms to Japan, creating jobs and wealth. Close economic partnership fosters more good will between nations than close military alliances.
Wouldn't the people of Okinawa be much better served with offices and factories rather than foreign military bases?
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.