Local economic beneficiaries skew base politics toward support even amid broad opposition
Evidence
The uneven distribution of local benefits helps explain the complex politics of the base issue in many host communities. While almost all Okinawans want to see Futenma removed, for instance, opposition to other bases on the island is far from universal. Most of the landowners to whom the Japanese government pays rent support an ongoing U.S. presence, and many business owners who benefit from sales to U.S. personnel are also supportive. A union that represents base employees likewise favors the bases, though other labor unions in Okinawa make up an important segment of the protest movement. — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 870
Categorization
Category: Causal Relationships
- XREF: Connects to the chapter’s theme of how compensating local actors buys acquiescence, echoing the Okinawa payment system described.
Related
- Only some Okinawans oppose bases despite wanting Futenma closed. (similarity 0.90)
- Japan institutionalized subsidies to buy Okinawan base acceptance. (similarity 0.84)
- Economic dependency forces Okinawa to accept the bases. (similarity 0.83)
- Antibase protest drove Tokyo to expand compensation payments sustaining tacit support (similarity 0.82)
- Japan institutionalized economic payments to secure Okinawan acquiescence to U.S. bases (similarity 0.80)
- Japanese subsidies institutionalized a quid pro quo purchasing Okinawan tolerance of U.S. bases (similarity 0.80)
- Base economies offer locals mostly low-wage jobs while higher-skilled positions go to Americans (similarity 0.78)