Host nations, not the U.S., absorb base-related environmental and noise costs

Evidence

Japanese taxpayers have also spent nearly $1 billion to soundproof civilian homes near noisy U.S. air bases in Okinawa, and millions more in damages assessed in noise pollution lawsuits. Because of favorable basing agreements, the U.S. military generally doesn’t have to pay for environmental cleanup in Japan, South Korea, or elsewhere. These costs also come from citizens’ taxes, further reducing the net value of any local benefits. — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 879

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to arguments about hidden subsidy burdens and externality-shifting in the broader base-impact literature.