A message

I offer my sincerest condolence and sympathy to those who were lost in the big Tohoku earthquake in Japan, their families and friends, and all who have been affected by the disaster of an unimaginable scale. Having family in Sendai and other parts of Japan, this has personally affected me and my family as well, and I will take a temporary break from maintaining this blog. Thank you for your understanding and I appreciate your continuous interest and support. I will continue to post short messages on Facebook and Twitter. My Twitter updates can be viewed on the right hand side of this blog too.

東北の大地震の犠牲者とその家族の皆さまに心より哀悼の意を表します。また、想像もつかない規模のこの災害に影響を受けたたくさんの人々に想いを馳せております。私自身、仙台をはじめ日本の各地に家族がおり、個人的に打撃を受けております。このブログの更新はしばらくお休みさせていただきますのでご理解ください。このブログに関心を持ち読んでいただいている方々に心から感謝致します。フェイスブックとツイッターでは短いメッセージを発信していきますので、そちらをご覧ください。最新のツイッターはこのブログの右側の　Twitter Update でも見られます。

Sincerely,

PeacePhilosopher

Gavan McCormack: How Many Other Mahers Will Turn Up in Wikileaks? ガバン・マコーマック：ウィキリークスにあと何人の「メア」が隠れているのだろうか

Kevin Maher, former Consul-General of Okinawa, has been sacked as Director of the Japan Affairs Office of the State Department and being replaced by Rust Deming, a former deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Japan. See below for related news (Kyodo, Xinhua, and New York Times). 下方にケビン・メア更迭の英語報道（共同、新華社、ニューヨークタイムズ）を貼り付けています。

Here is Gavan McCormack's comment on the issue, which he provided at request of Okinawan newspaper Ryukyu Shimpo. The English version is followed by Japanese. 琉球新報３月１０日版の社会面に一部が掲載されたガバン・マコーマック氏（オーストラリア国立大学名誉教授、アジア太平洋ジャーナル：ジャパンフォーカス編集委員）のコメント全文をここに英語、日本語で紹介します。

For Ryukyu Shimpo


Gavan McCormack

Gavan McCormack

As exposure follows exposure since 2009, with the Mitsuyaku, Hatoyama, and now Maher revelations, the US-Japan-Okinawa relationship is revealed as never before. We now learn that the US Department of State’s Japan policy unit is headed by a man who is ignorant, abusive, and racist.

That in itself is not new. Contempt for Japan has been common ever since General MacArthur referred to Japanese as “twelve-year old.” But it was commonly concealed by the warmth with which Japanese leaders who are compliant, performing essentially as poodles and saying “Yes” are feted in Washington.

When Hatoyama in 2009 began to assert, however briefly and feebly, a distinctive Japanese national interest, and to talk of an equal relationship, however, that was intolerable. He was subjected to a barrage of contempt and abuse that would have been unimaginable towards any other country, enemies included. Much of Japan, however, then sided with Washington.

In due course compliant Japanese leadership was reinstated under Kan and Maehara. They are accorded respect precisely because they have reverted to the established role of Japanese leaders: to say “Yes.” Respect is simply the other side of the coin of contempt.

To Maher, Okinawa deserves special contempt because it is, or should be, the zokkoku (a client state) of a zokkoku, yet it persists in saying “No.” That he seems to find infuriating and his bureaucratic colleagues are presumably like-minded.

By exposing so clearly the thinking of Washington’s Japan handlers, however, Maher performs an unexpected service. He opens a window onto thinking at elite policy levels in the Washington establishment and so makes it virtually inconceivable that the agreements for construction of the new base at Henoko or the helipads at Takae should ever proceed.

He also makes us anticipate the release of the supposed 5,000 plus US embassy documents contained in the Wikileaks archive. How many other Mahers will turn up in those files?

Gavan McCormack, author of Client State: Japan in the American Embrace, is Coordinator of Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus, and Professor Emeritus at Australian National University.


琉球新報の取材に応じたコメント


ガバン・マコーマック

沖縄返還時の密約の暴露に始まり、鳩山政権、メア発言に至るまで最近、沖縄と日米政府との関係がかつてない鮮明さで表面に出てきた。米国務省の日本部長が日本に対し無知で、侮蔑的、人種的偏見の持ち主であることが露呈した。

もっとも今始まったことではないが。マッカーサー将軍は日本人を「１２歳の子ども」と見なしたが、それ以来米国の日本軽視はごく普通のことだった。プードル犬のように、米国の言いなりになる日本の指導者たちのために一席設けて、暖かい態度で持ち上げることで、軽蔑は隠されてきた。

２００９年に当時の鳩山首相が、短い期間であったが、おずおずと日本の国益を打ち出し、米国と対等な関係を求めると、米国にとって鳩山は我慢がならない存在となった。

米国は鳩山に他の国の指導者に対してはあり得ないような、ありとあらゆる侮蔑、誹謗中傷の集中砲火をあびせた。日本の大勢は米国に与した。そして、菅首相、前原外相という米国に従順な指導体制に復帰した。

菅政権は好感を持って迎えられたが、それは米国に菅が「イエス」というだけの日本の指導者の伝統的役割に回帰したからにすぎない。好感の裏側には軽蔑がある。

メア日本部長にとって沖縄は特別に軽蔑に値する対象だった。沖縄は、日本という米国の属国のさらにまた属国であるはずなのに、米国に「ノー」と主張し続けるきわめて腹立たしい存在だった。彼の同僚たちもおそらく同じような態度であろう。

メアは、米国のいわゆるジャパンハンドラーズの考え方を、 これほどまでに赤裸々にした結果、思いがけない貢献をすることになった。米国の日本政策担当のエリートたちの思考様式がここまで明白になった以上、辺野古の新基地や高江のヘリパッドの建設を計画する日米合意が実際に進行することは考えられないからである。

これで一層ウィキリークスの５０００ともいわれる米国大使館関係の情報の公開が楽しみになってきた。その中に、あと何人のメアが隠れているのだろうか。

ガバン・マコーマック　
アジア太平洋ジャーナル：ジャパン・フォーカス編集委員、オーストラリア国立大学名誉教授。著書は『属国―米国の抱擁とアジアでの孤立』他多数。

Here are related news.

U.S. sacks official over disparagement, apologizes to Japan
http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/u-s-sacks-official-over-disparagement-apologizes-to-japan
Thursday 10th March, 11:04 AM JST

TOKYO —
The United States has sacked Kevin Maher as head of the Japan affairs office of the State Department following his remarks that reportedly disparaged the people of Okinawa, while apologizing Thursday to the Japanese government over the matter.

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo announced Rust Deming, a former deputy chief of mission at the embassy, had replaced Maher and the appointment was effective immediately.

Kurt Campbell, an assistant U.S. secretary of state who was in Japan to attend scheduled bilateral security talks, expressed his ‘‘deepest regrets’’ over the matter during a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto.

Campbell also told Matsumoto of the dismissal of Maher, the embassy said.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos plans to visit Okinawa to offer an apology over the matter, Campbell told Matsumoto.

Maher, a former consul general in Okinawa, allegedly made a series of remarks including a description of people in the southern Japan prefecture as ‘‘masters of manipulation and extortion,’’ during a lecture at the department in December.

The comments have stirred a controversy in Japan and especially angered residents of Okinawa.

U.S. sacks state department official over racist slurs, apologizes to Japan
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-03/10/c_13770455.htm

TOKYO, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo announced Thursday that the U.S. government has sacked Kevin Maher as head of the Japan affairs office of the State Department following derogatory remarks he made about the people of Okinawa.

A former deputy chief of mission at the embassy, Rust Deming, will replace the abashed Maher, immediately in a bid to rebuild strained ties between the two countries, officials said.

Following the uproar caused by Maher, leading to prefectural and city assemblies in Okinawa calling for Maher to step down, apologize and officially retract his comments, U.S. assistant secretary of state Kurt Campbell was dispatched to Tokyo.

Campbell on Thursday offered a personal apology to the people of Okinawa and Japan and conveyed deep regret on Maher's behalf, stating that Maher's views in no way represent those of the U.S. government.

In a meeting held with Japan's new Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto on Thursday, Campbell said that U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos plans to visit Okinawa to offer an official apology to the people there in person.

Local media reported that the people of Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, felt shocked, horrified and utterly ridiculed by Maher's remarks.

The issue arose during a State Department lecture in the U.S. aimed at college students, during which Maher referred to the people of Okinawa as being "masters of manipulation and extortion. "

He also referred to the people of Okinawa as "lazy and deceptive," drawing the ire of Japan's senior ministers and the Japanese population at large.

The Okinawa prefectural assembly said that Maher's comments trampled on the feelings of the Okinawan people, ridiculing and insulting them and that the disparaging remarks were absolutely unforgivable.

The assembly also said that Maher repeatedly made discriminatory remarks and acted discriminatorily during his time as consul general.

Added to this, one of the students attending Maher's State Department lecture felt there were definitely racist undertones to the former U.S. consul general's remarks.

During the lecture, Maher was quoted as saying: "Consensus building is important in Japanese culture. While the Japanese would call this 'consensus,' they mean'extortion' and use this culture of consensus as a means of extortion."

"By pretending to seek consensus, people try to get as much money as possible," he said.

He was also quoted as saying that Okinawan people are, "too lazy to grow goya" a traditional summer vegetable in the southern prefecture, according to official accounts.

Maher, 56, served as the consul general in Okinawa from 2006 to 2009 after joining the State Department in 1981. His comments have riled the people of Okinawa who have suffered under the heavy burden of hosting U.S. military bases for 65-years after the war.

U.S. Apologizes for Japan Remark
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/10/world/asia/10japan.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

TOKYO — A senior American official apologized on Wednesday for comments attributed to an American diplomat that stirred charges of racism.

The official, Assistant Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell, said he regretted misunderstandings caused by the diplomat’s reported remarks about the people of Okinawa, the island that is host to about half of the 50,000 American military personnel in Japan.

The Japanese news media have reported that the head of the State Department’s office of Japan affairs, Kevin K. Maher, told American university students in December that the Okinawans were “masters of manipulation and distortion.” Mr. Maher, who previously served as consul general in Okinawa, has called the reports inaccurate and incomplete. It was unclear why the media reports emerged now.

The United States Embassy said Thursday that Mr. Maher had been replaced, The Associated Press reported.

The Japanese news media reports on Mr. Maher’s remarks caused outrage on Okinawa, where there is deep resentment of the large United States military presence. The Okinawan prefectural assembly adopted a resolution on Tuesday calling for a retraction and apology. The uproar also created a challenge for Japan’s new foreign minister, Takeaki Matsumoto, who was sworn in on Wednesday. Mr. Matsumoto, a relative unknown, replaced Seiji Maehara, a hawkish young member of the governing Democratic Party who was popular in Washington but resigned over illegal campaign donations. In his inaugural news conference, Mr. Matsumoto said that if the reports were true, Mr. Maher’s comments were “unacceptable” and “hurt the feelings of not only Okinawans but all Japanese.”

Some Japanese officials also said the reported comments could further complicate efforts to relocate the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to elsewhere on Okinawa, something sought by Washington but opposed by many Okinawans.

Mr. Campbell, who is visiting Japan for two days of talks, said the reported comments did not reflect the stance of the United States government. He said he would apologize at every meeting during his visit.

Okinawans Urge US to Fire Maher: Ryukyu Shimpo 沖縄県民、ケビン・メアの解任を要求（琉球新報英文社説、記事）

See previous posts on Kevin Maher's controversial remarks on Okinawa.

Anger Spreads Over Kevin Maher's Derogatory Comments on Okinawans ケビン・メア　沖縄蔑視発言に怒り拡がる（英文原文）

Mark Selden on Maher: Arrogance, Expressed Crudely メア発言について、マーク・セルダン：「露骨に表現された傲慢」

On the morning of March 9th, four more municipalities in Okinawa - Nago City, Uruma City, Chatan Town, and Yomitan Village passed resolutions at their assemblies, asking Maher to rescind and apologize for his statement. Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs expressed a personal apology to reporters at an airport near Washington D.C. before he left for Japan for the 2 + 2 meeting (with Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to be held on March 9 and 10 in Tokyo.
 
The State Department spokesperson Phillip Crowley avoided clarifying whose apology it will be, at the March 8 daily press briefing.

PP

Below are English language articles by Ryukyu Shimpo, one of the two major Okinawan newspapers.

Kevin Maher’s Discriminatory Remarks

Cover of March 9 edition of Ryukyu Shimpo. The title
reads, "Derision and Insult to Okinawans."

The Ryukyu Shimpo Editorial, March 8, 2011

- The U.S. should remove him from his post and amend its views
- Lecture reflects distortion of Okinawa situation

Diplomats carry heavy responsibilities. A state’s relations with its allies or neighboring countries could be instantly damaged; friendship and trust undermined, and the setting for consultations spoiled, all of which could occur because of a single statement made by a diplomat.

“Okinawans are masters of ‘manipulation’ and ‘extortion’,” “too lazy to grow goya,” “[The Japanese] use [the] culture of consensus as a means of ‘extortion’,” “If the Japanese Constitution was changed, the United States would not be able to use Japanese land to advance US interests.”

The recent lecture delivered by Mr. Kevin Maher, the Director of the Office of Japanese Affairs at the U.S. State Department (also a former consul general in Okinawa), has provoked the ire of Okinawans in many quarters. In his remarks, sampled above, Mr. Maher repeatedly showed his contempt not only for Okinawans but also for Japanese culture and society, and laid bare the policy of giving precedence to the requirements of the U.S. military. This is a typical case in which a diplomat’s words and action end up causing serious repercussions.

Colonial attitude still alive

In the lecture delivered to an audience of American students at the U.S. State Department in December last year, Mr. Maher also stated that the Futenma Air Base was not particularly dangerous. He repeatedly expressed a similar view, without any hesitation, during his tenure as consul general. He now holds the key post of Director of the Office of Japanese Affairs at the State Department and is deeply involved in the relocation of Futenma Air Base used by the U.S. military. Despite this, if he does not take seriously the fact that both the U.S. and Japan have already admitted the dangers posed by the air base, it would shake the fundamental basis of the agreement between the two countries.

Mr. Maher is in the position of handing up his opinions to Secretary of State Clinton. The matter is more serious because he has been an advocate of the relocation of the air base to Henoko in Nago.
Mr. Maher’s speech is a reflection of the negative legacy of the Battle of Okinawa. The occupier mentality, which claims that “America controls Okinawa, land won through the sacrifice of American blood,” is still alive, and largely projected onto the distorted views of Okinawa and Japan held by some U.S. government officials.

Such a mentality is completely lacking in the diplomatic tradition that matters of concern among countries should be resolved by being based on mutual respect for history, culture, and national character. In fact, this is a quality essential in a diplomat. The occupier mentality throws into relief the attitude of complacency and unilateralism, which only takes into account America’s own interests.

We Okinawans want to demand that the United States government take immediate measures to dismiss Mr. Maher who has exhibited strong biases against Okinawans and the Japanese.

Although the American Embassy in Tokyo issued an unusual statement to say that Mr. Maher’s comments do not reflect the official views of the U.S. government, it is still not clear which part of his views really differ from those of his government, and thus the statement is not sufficient. If Washington does not take action against Mr. Maher, it only means it has accepted his views.

As in the case of the recent speech made by former Prime Minister Hatoyama, who said that the “deterrence capability” argument which he used last year was simply “an expedient,” the real nature of the problem this time will not be understood if it is treated simply as an individual instance of a slip of the tongue or lapse in his professionalism.

Unintentional or not, Mr. Maher’s remarks should be seen as revealing the true opinions of the United States, and accordingly, the Japanese government should take resolute action. If it fails to lodge a firm protest, it, too, will be seen to be endorsing Mr. Maher’s views.

The news about Mr. Maher’s lecture was reported on the 7th. However, what is hard to understand is that there was only a minimal ripple of reaction among the politicians and officials in Tokyo’s Nagata-cho and Kasumigaseki districts.
Okinawans, express your wills!

With reference to the plan to relocate Futenma Air Base, Mr. Maher said in the lecture, “Tokyo needs to tell the Governor of Okinawa, ‘if you want money, sign up to the plan!’” It reveals the view that the relocation of Futenma within the prefecture, which a large proportion of the Okinawan population opposes, would be implemented by an offer of money. It testifies to Mr. Maher’s blind eye to the fundamental shift that has occurred in Okinawan opinion on base problems. Now, Okinawan politicians detest the policy of “bases in return for compensation,” a feeling which transcends party lines. Mr. Maher’s view, however, still reflects such a policy.

Mr. Maher was the consul general in Okinawa from 2006 to 2009. When there was a nonpartisan request for the revision of the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, he declared that local politicians were “making a political issue” out of this agreement. He made numerous other comments which used to rub Okinawans the wrong way.

While in that post, Mr. Maher repeatedly said that frank exposition of issues, and not separation of honne (one’s true opinions) from tatemae (public stance), is necessary for the practical resolution of the Futenma issue. He also said that the basic principle for a diplomat is not to tell a lie. If that is true, his scornful remarks this time must also reflect his frank views.

While he was consul general, he did not develop close relations with political and economic leaders in Okinawa, and failed to demonstrate any rapport with Governor Nakaima. He tended to establish relations only with those who accepted the relocation of Futenma within Okinawa, and paid no attention to people whose ideas were different from his own.

The major concern for Okinawans is that, since Mr. Maher is a recognized “Japan hand,” his distorted views on Okinawa may be influencing Washington’s stance on the negotiations over Futenma, the consequence of which might be unfavorable to Okinawa.

In Washington, a view that Governor Nakaima may accept the relocation of Futenma within Okinawa in exchange for development aid is more widespread than before. However, there will be no solution to base problems unless Okinawan wishes are taken into account. It is important that the people of this prefecture take a firm stance and stand up to any proposal that is contrary to their wishes.

**********************************

Okinawans Urge US State Department to Fire Maher

Ryukyu Shimpo, March 9, 2011

The reported disparaging of Okinawans by Kevin Maher, Director of the US Department of State’s Office of Japanese Affairs and a former consul general in Okinawa, has outraged many observers in Okinawa.
They angrily accused Maher of seeing Okinawa as an American colony, and claim that there is little to distinguish his views from those of the US High Commissioners who reigned supreme in Okinawa before its reversion to Japan.

Those observers claim that the Department of State should ask Maher to resign. Maher is reported as having said that “(Okinawan) people try to extract as much money as possible by pretending to seek consensus.” Following that comment, the mayors of the municipalities that host the US military bases objected strongly, saying, “Money is not the issue!”

Political scientist and Okinawa International University Professor Manabu Sato concluded that what Maher had said were “his genuine views.”

The statements were made as part of a lecture to a group of university students in the US, and on the understanding that he was speaking off the record.

Sato also pointed out that Maher still sees Okinawa as a US strategic colony, which indicates Okinawa is still suffering from the kind of discrimination of which it was a victim under the High Commissioners.

Considering that Maher holds such an important position as Director of the Office of Japanese Affairs within the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Sato expressed concern that he has been extending his biased ideas that Okinawans would accept the US military bases if they were given more money or if pressure were exerted on them.

The recipients of such views could be Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

Zenji Shimada, leader of a Futenma group suing the government over noise pollution, is one who was exasperated at Maher’s alleged remarks. He said, “Local residents are living on the edge. During his term as consul general, Maher repeatedly stated that Futenma base was not a source of danger. He still seems to entertain the same view, and we find that highly offensive.”

Knowing Maher has been an advocate of relocating the Futenma Marine Corps Air Station to the Henoko coastal district of Nago, KENko, a musician and resident of Ginowan City, strongly asserted that the government of Japan should take Okinawa’s side and say “NO” to the US government instead of putting the onus on Okinawa.

KENko said, “Okinawa has persistently expressed its determination in rejecting the US military bases as we have seen in election results and at protest rallies”.

Douglas Lummis, a political scientist and an ex-Marine, said that in view of Maher’s insults it is important that the State Department demand Maher’s resignation. It would be a well-advised move unless it wants to be seen as accepting discriminatory remarks aimed at a partner and an ally.

Teruo Onishi is a member of Nago City Council in northern Okinawa and a critic opposed both to the construction of the U.S. sea-borne heliport and to the relocation of the Futenma base to Nago.
Onishi offered the view that Maher deliberately passed such remarks in order to make the Kan administration bend to US policy, and added that he was trying to throw Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima off balance in order to force him to accept the relocation of the Futenma base elsewhere in the prefecture.

“Maher used to pass various remarks that deprecated Okinawa while he was Consul General,” Onishi added.

Masatake Kyoda is a co-leader of the voluntary group that conditionally accepts the relocation of the Futenma base to Henoko. He argued for the hasty relocation of Futenma base, saying, “Although the US doesn’t see Futenma as posing serious risks to the safety of the local population, Okinawa and the government of Japan both do. The relocation of a dangerous base should be undertaken immediately before any further accidents occur.”

******************************
"Okinawans, Masters of Extortion”
- U.S. Diplomat Makes Disparaging Remarks

Ryukyu Shimpo, March 9, 2011

Kevin Maher, director of the Japanese Affairs Office at the U.S. State Department and former consul general in Okinawa, has described Okinawan people as masters of “manipulation” and “extortion” in their dealings with the Tokyo government and in relation to the Futenma issue.

He delivered his critical observations during a lecture to the students of American University in Washington D.C. late last year. He explained “They use the “wa” or harmony element of Japanese culture as means of extortion.”

As an official involved in working-level consultations between Washington and Tokyo, Maher has been deeply involved in the negotiations on the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma relocation plan.
He is an advocate of relocation of the air station to Cape Henoko in Nago City in the northern area of Okinawa Island, the site of the existing Camp Schwab.

Once disclosed, his remarks drew immediate criticism for their discriminatory implications and because of his lack of awareness of the Okinawan and Japanese situation and of local feeling.

According to reports of what he had said, based on summary notes written by students, who had attended the State Department lecture, Maher explained that Japanese culture is one of “wa”, which is based on consensus. Okinawans use that consensus culture as a means of “extortion,” and they try to get as much money as possible through a pretense of seeking consensus.

In their relations with Tokyo, Mayer saw Okinawans as masters of “manipulation” and “extortion.”
As an illustrative aside, he remarked that “Okinawans are too lazy to grow their own goya (the bitter cucumber vegetable and a local specialty)”.

As head of the Japan desk, he said with absolute certainty that Tokyo officials “only need to tell Hirokazu Nakaima, the governor of Okinawa Prefecture, ‘If you want money, sign here!’ ” in order to give the green light to the Futenma Air Base relocation plan.

Maher made the emphatic point that Futenma posed no uniquely specific dangers since the civilian airports at Fukuoka and Osaka were similarly situated, that is also surrounded by residential areas.

The students who attended the lecture have confirmed the contents of his lecture. They were all shocked at how such remarks betrayed inappropriate prejudice and racism coming, as they did, from someone of his high-ranking official position.

Maher delivered his lecture on December 3 at the invitation of American University in D.C., to 14 students who had been undertaking two-week study tours of Tokyo and Okinawa.

Maher had an understanding with the university that his lecture would be “off the record.”

Mark Selden on Maher: Arrogance, Expressed Crudely メア発言について、マーク・セルダン：「露骨に表現された傲慢」

メア発言について、マーク・セルダン氏（ジャパン・フォーカス誌編集委員、コーネル大学東アジア研究所主任研究員）の琉球新報へのコメント（英語原文）を掲載します（琉球新報には３月１０日の社会面に一部が掲載されました）。

Here is Mark Selden's comment on former Consul-General of Okinawa Kevin Maher's remarks on Okinawa and US military bases there, which has stirred a big controversy in Japan. Mark wrote this to Ryukyu Shimpo, in response to the Okinawan newspaper's request for a comment on the US diplomat's briefing with the American University students in December, before they went on to a two-week study tour to Tokyo and Okinawa. According to the latest news (Sankei news below in Japanese), the Prefectural Assembly of Okinawa and Naha City Assembly both passed a unanimous resolution to protest against Maher's remarks. The move is expected to be followed by other municipalities in Okinawa. Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano Yukio said those remarks "hurt the feeling of not just Okinawans but also all Japanese. He held a phone conference with U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos and told him that Maher's remarks were very inappropriate. The US Embassy issued a statement that Roos told Edano of his regret, and that the reported remarks would not be compatible at all with the U.S. government's policy or the utmost respect that the U.S. pays to Okinawan people. (PP)

Kevin Maher's comments are striking in several ways.

Mark Selden

First, their arrogance is unusual primarily in the fact that it is rarely expressed so crudely in public: in this case, of course, it came to public attention only because the students who attended his briefing saw to it that the talk was publicized.

Second, and here his remarks are very much in keeping with the views of both Japanese and US officials on plans to further increase the military base burden on Okinawa by building a new base at Henoko: that is, they are content to impose the base on the Okinawan people who have shown overwhelming opposition to the new base: in successive elections, in the largest demonstrations in Okinawan history, and in sustained sit-ins at Henoko and Takae that are among the longest in human history.

Third, some of his remarks are as false as they are offensive, frequently choosing to blame the victim and ignoring the acts of the assailant. For example, he is quoted as stating that "The controversial bases in Okinawa were originally in the middle of rice fields, but are now in the middle of towns because Okinawans allowed urbanization and population growth to surround United States facilities." Most of the bases were indeed carved out of fields in the late 1940s when virtually the entire Okinawan population that survived the battle was thrown into detention camps and their lands paved over to form bases, never to be returned. It is extraordinary that Maher holds Okinawans responsible for the subsequent urbanization which has created in Okinawa city one of the most dangerous and noise-polluting bases in the world.

Finally, Maher comments that "There is nowhere else to base US Marines. The DPJ suggested a replacement facility in mainland Japan, but there is no place in mainland Japan for the US Military." No place else? Interesting. The United States uniquely maintains more than 1,000 military bases as its prerogative throughout the world in an empire of bases . . . excluding hundreds in the United States. I am not aware that many other countries maintain even a single base outside their own territory. What is clear of the proposed new Marine Base is that it has virtually nothing to do with protecting Okinawa or Japan. With the vast majority of the 12,000 Marines (by some counts, 18,000) fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, Okinawa is largely a training base for fighting US wars far from Japan or Okinawa, a fact consistent with US plans to shift 8,000 Marines to Guam at Japanese expense.

There have been signs in recent months that the US government, far more than the Japanese government, has begun to recognize that imposing a new base on Okinawa over the opposition of the vast majority poses huge problems that had best be avoided. The Okinawan resistance movement has begun to make its voice heard in Washington through the court challenge to the Henoko Base filed in California on grounds of environmental disruption; through its voice expressed at the polls and in demonstrations. As construction begins on the Takae Helipads, and as preparations continue for Henoko construction, the movement will have to find means to strengthen both its political resistance and its ability to publicize that resistance internationally. Our Asia-Pacific Journal http://japanfocus.org/  has attempted to provide one vehicle for giving voice to the Okinawan resistance.

Mark Selden

Mark Selden is Coordinator of The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus, and Senior Research Associate of the East Asia Program, Cornell University.

****************************
メア発言関連ニュース（３月８日）
メア日本部長「沖縄はゆすりの名人」発言　沖縄県議会が抗議決議
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/politics/news/110308/plc11030823370018-n1.htm

米国務省のケビン・メア日本部長が「沖縄はごまかしとゆすりの名人で怠惰だ」と発言したことが分かり、沖縄県議会と那覇市議会は８日、抗議決議を全会一致で可決した。いずれの決議も「基地のない平和で安心・安全な沖縄県を切に願う県民の心を踏みにじり愚弄する発言で断じて許せない」として発言の撤回と謝罪を求めている。

　枝野幸男官房長官は８日の参院予算委員会で「沖縄県民のみならず日本国民の感情を傷つけるもので容認しがたい」と批判。この後、ルース駐日米大使と電話で会談し「極めて不適切な発言だ」と抗議した。

　これを受け、米大使館は「ルース氏は枝野氏に深い遺憾の意を伝えた。伝えられる発言は米政府の政策や米国の沖縄の人々への最大限の敬意とは全く相いれない」とする声明を出した。

　メア氏は平成１８年から２１年まで駐沖縄総領事を務めた。昨年末、国務省内で行われた米大学生らへの講義で「沖縄の人々はごまかしとゆすりの名人だ」と発言した上で「米軍普天間飛行場（沖縄県宜（ぎ）野（の）湾（わん）市）は（住宅地に近い）福岡空港や伊丹空港と同じだ」と指摘。「日本政府は沖縄県知事に『お金がほしいならサインしろ』というべきだ」「改憲されていたら米国の国益を増進するため日本の土地を使うことができなくなっていた」などと語ったとされる。

Anger Spreads Over Kevin Maher's Derogatory Comments on Okinawans ケビン・メア 沖縄蔑視発言に怒り拡がる（英文原文）

Kevin Maher

報道されているケビン・メア氏の発言の英語原文（学生のノートをもとにしたもの）です。（赤字の部分は、メア氏が事実誤認しているところを訂正しているもので、このブログのオーナーが追加したものです。）日本語での報道は、共同のものを一番下に貼り付けました。琉球新報、沖縄タイムスなどにも特集記事がたくさんあるので見てください。英語原文のＰＤＦ版はこちらです。

On December 3, 2010, Kevin Maher, Director of the Office of Japan Affairs and former U.S. Consul-General of Okinawa gave a lecture to the fourteen students of American University (Washington, DC) who were going to visit Okinawa to learn about the issues surrounding US military bases there. Kyodo News Agency, Okinawan newspapers Ryukyu Shimpo and Okinawa Taimusu, and other media reported it on March 7, 2011, and anger quickly spread through Okinawa over Maher's numerous derogatory remarks about Okinawa and its people. The March 8 edition of Ryukyu Shimpo ran almost five full pages of special reports, analyses, an editorial that calls for dismissal of Maher, a response from US Embassy in Tokyo saying Maher's views did not represent the US government at all, and critical comments from former Governor of Okinawa Ota Masahide, citizens, politicians and scholars in Okinawa and Japan. Ota says Maher is one who "endorsed the Henoko plan, so we should use this opportunity to crush the plan."

Here is the original text of Maher's lecture, based on the notes that the AU students took then.

Note: PeacePhilosopher added corrections to factual errors in the lecture in red, italic and bolded letters.  See the PDF version without annotation HERE.

United States Department of States Briefing

December 3rd, 4pm, at the Department of State

Participants

-Department of State:
Mr. Kevin K. Maher, Director of the Office of Japan Affairs

-American University:
14 Members of Alternative Break Trip to Okinawa, Japan, Winter Break 2010, "U.S. Military Bases and Their Impacts in Okinawa, Japan"

Presentation

***All opinions and claims are from Mr. Maher

• I was the Consul General in Okinawa until 2009. It is said that a half of U.S. bases in Japan is located in Okinawa, but the statistic only includes bases used exclusively by the US Military. If all bases, US bases and bases jointly used by the US and JSDF, are considered, the percent of bases in Okinawa is much lower.  (75% of military bases in Japan  exclusive to US use are in Okinawa.)
• The controversial bases in Okinawa were originally in the middle of rice fields, but are now in the middle of towns because Okinawans allowed urbanization and population growth to surround United States facilities. (US military acquired many of those lands by forceful expropriation or while local residents were in the concentration camps during and after the war. Many residents had no place to live when they returned from the camp, and lived around the bases, close to their home land and where their anscestors' tombs were)
• The US bases in Okinawa exist for regional security. The Japanese obligation under the US-Japan security treaty is to provide land for bases. The relationship between Japan and the US under the security treaty is asymmetric and benefits the Japanese to the detriment of the US.  (This is contradictory to Maher's last statement, "The high host nation support the Japanese government currently pays is beneficial to the US.We’ve got a very good deal in Japan.")  Japan is not obligated to defend the United States if US forces are attacked, but the United States must defend and protect Japan’s people and property.
• Collective security is not a constitutional issue, but a policy issue. (Yes, it is a constitutional issue. The Japanese government's interpretation of Article 9 holds that Japan is NOT allowed to use its right of collective self-defense.)

• Eighteen thousand (18,000) US Marines and an air wing are stationed in Okinawa. (The number in 2007 was 13,200 according to Okinawa Prefecture. The number of Marines in Okinawa at any given time is a lot lower, with many of them in Iraq/Afghanistan and training elsewhere in Asia.) The United States needs bases in Okinawa for two reasons: bases are already there and Okinawa is an important geographical location. 
• (While showing a map of East Asia) US Forces Japan is headquartered in Tokyo and is the location of a logistics hub that would coordinate supplies and troops in the event of a crisis. Misawa, an important base in the Cold War, is the closest U.S. base to Russia and the base at Iwakuni is only 30 min from Korea, yet Okinawa’s geographic location is important to regional security.
• Okinawa was an independent Kingdom paying tribute to China, although it has never been a part of China. The U.S. occupied Okinawa until 1972.
• The Okinawan people’s anger and frustration is directed at Japan rather than the United States.The DPJ government does not understand Okinawa.  The Japanese government does not have a “pipe” of communication to Okinawa. When I offer to contact people in Okinawa DPJ officials say “Yes! Yes, please!” The LDP communicated with Okinawa and understood Okinawan concerns better than the current DPJ government.
• One third of people believe the world would be more peaceful without a military. It is impossible to talk with such people.
• The 2009 election brought the DPJ to power, which was the first change in the government of Japan.Hatoyama was a leftist politician. Despite the DPJ and PM Hatoyama, the US and Japan managed to issue the 2+2 statement in May.

(Mr. Maher left the room and two his colleagues gave a lecture about the US-Japan economic relationship. Mr. Maher returned to resume his lecture and the two officials left the room.)

• The US will relocate 8000 Marines from Futenma to Guam in order to reduce the US Military footprint on Okinawa. The plan will allow the US to maintain a military presence in the region to provide regional security and deterrence capability.
• Under the Roadmap, Japan will provide money for the relocation and it is a sign of a tangible effort from Japan. The DPJ government has delayed implementation, but I am confident that government will implement the existing plan. Tokyo needs to tell the Okinawan Governor, “if you want money, sign it [agree to the relocation plan].” ]

• There is nowhere else to base US Marines. The DPJ suggested a replacement facility in mainland Japan, but there is no place in mainland Japan for the US Military.
• Japanese culture is a culture of "Wa" (harmony) that is based on consensus. Consensus building is important in Japanese culture. While the Japanese would call this “consensus,” they mean “extortion” and use this culture of consensus as a means of “extortion.” By pretending to seek consensus, people try to get as much money as possible. Okinawans are masters of “manipulation” and “extortion” of Tokyo.
• Okinawa's main industry is tourism. While there is an agricultural industry, the main industry is tourism. Although Okinawans grow goya, other prefectures grow more than Okinawa. Okinawans are too lazy to grow goya (Okinawa is the number one producer of goya, or bitter melon, in Japan, with a share of 33%, followed by Miyazaki's 17% and Kagoshima's 14%).
• Okinawa has the highest divorce rate, birthrate (especially out of wedlock) and drunk-driving rate due to Okinawa’s culture of drinking liquor with high alcohol content.
• You should be careful about “tatemae and honne” while in Japan. Tatemae and honne is the “idea that words and actual intentions are different."  While in Okinawa, I said MCAS Futenma “is not especially dangerous." My statements caused Okinawans to protest in front of my office. Although Okianwans claim MCAS Futenma is the most dangerous base in the world,they know it is not true. Fukuoka Airport and Osaka Itami Airport are just as dangerous (Fukuoka and Itami airports are NOT US military bases).
• Japanese politicians do tatemae and honne all the time. Okinawan politicians will agree to a negotiation in Tokyo but return to Okinawa and claim they did not. The US Ambassador and other representatives to Japan are constantly criticized for speaking the truth because the Japanese culture is too focused on tatemae and honne.

• The US Military and JSDF have different mentalities. The US Military trains to prepare for possible deployment, but the JSDF train without actually preparing for deployment. 
• Local people oppose to night training by the US Military but it is necessary because modern warfare is often fought at night. Night training is essential to maintain deterrence capability.
• I don’t think Article Nine of the Japanese Constitution should change. I doubt it will ever be changed. It would be bad for the United States if the Japanese Constitution was changed because Japan would not need the United States’ Military. (The US military bases are justified under Anpo, or the Japan-US Security Treaty, NOT Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution. The Japanese Constitution does NOT stipulate anything on US military presence in Japan.) If the Japanese Constitution was changed the United States would not be able to use Japanese land to advance US interests. The high host nation support the Japanese government currently pays is beneficial to the US.We’ve got a very good deal in Japan.

******* the end of notes of Maher's lecture on December 4, 2010 *******
Related news below.

The Japan Times
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110307a2.html

Monday, March 7, 2011

U.S. diplomat accused of disparaging Okinawans
Islanders 'masters of manipulation and extortion' on Futenma issue

Kyodo News

A U.S. official in charge of Japanese affairs at the State Department is said to have likened the Japanese cultural principle of maintaining social harmony to "extortion" and described Okinawans as "lazy" during a speech in Washington late last year.

According to a written account compiled by students who attended the lecture at the State Department, Kevin Maher, head of the Japanese affairs office and a former consul general in Okinawa Prefecture, described Okinawan people as "masters of manipulation and extortion" when dealing with the central government.

"I am not in a position to comment on the record at this time," Maher said, noting his briefing was an off-the-record event. He said the account made available to Kyodo News is "neither accurate nor complete."

Maher has been involved in the bilateral negotiations on relocating the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and is known to be an advocate of relocating it elsewhere in the prefecture, an idea detested by local residents.

The remarks attributed to Maher are making waves.

They are "racially discriminating against Okinawa," said Teruo Hiyane, a scholar on postwar Okinawan history. Ukeru Magosaki, a former diplomat, said Maher's reported view on Japan is "biased and completely distorted."

Maher gave the speech Dec. 3 at the request of American University to a group of 14 students who were about to embark on a roughly two-week study tour of Tokyo and Okinawa.

In the speech, Maher was quoted as saying, "Consensus building is important in Japanese culture. While the Japanese would call this 'consensus,' they mean 'extortion' and use this culture of consensus as a means of extortion.

"By pretending to seek consensus, people try to get as much money as possible," he said.

Maher also criticized the people of Okinawa as "too lazy to grow 'goya' (bitter gourd)," a traditional summer vegetable in the prefecture, according to the account.

On the base, which is situated in a crowded residential area of Ginowan, Maher allegedly said that while Okinawans claim the base is the most dangerous in the world, they know it's not true.

The civilian airports in Fukuoka and Osaka are "just as dangerous," he reportedly said.

Maher was quoted as saying that the Japanese government "needs to tell the Okinawan governor, 'If you want money, sign it," referring to the Futenma relocation plan.

Students who took notes during Maher's speech said he definitely made the remarks, and at least one said it was surprising to hear statements full of bias coming from a person in the U.S. government.

The air base affair in Okinawa has been dragging on for well over a decade.

Maher, 56, served as the consul general in Okinawa from 2006 to 2009 after joining the State Department in 1981 and being posted to Tokyo and Fukuoka.

Maher said of the account provided to Kyodo that he "cannot control how individual students themselves might interpret remarks" and "it would therefore not be appropriate" to attribute any specific remarks to him "based upon secondhand information coming from students or others."

In the summer of 2008, while he was posted in Okinawa, Maher sparked controversy after questioning why the local authorities were allowing the construction of homes in the residential area around the Futenma air base. Plaintiffs seeking damages over noise from the U.S. base then presented him with a written demand calling on him to immediately leave Okinawa.

Magosaki, former head of the international intelligence office at the Foreign Ministry, said he had the impression that "U.S. officials in charge of recent U.S.-Japan negotiations shared ideas like those of Mr. Maher," adding "in that sense, his remarks were not especially distorted."]

*******************************

Kyodo News, March 7, 2011

Okinawa governor dismayed by U.S. official's 'extortion' remark

NAHA —
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/u-s-diplomat-said-to-have-likened-japanese-idea-of-harmony-to-extortion

Okinawa Gov Hirokazu Nakaima expressed dismay Monday at a remark made by a former U.S. consul general in Japan’s southwestern island prefecture describing people there as ‘‘masters of manipulation and extortion.’‘

‘‘His remarks make me question what the U.S. consular office in Okinawa exists for,’’ Nakaima told reporters. ‘‘I wonder what he learned in Okinawa when he was here.’‘

Former Consul General Kevin Maher, who is in charge of Japanese affairs at the U.S. State Department, talked about his experience of negotiating with Japan over the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station to Nago, another location in the prefecture, which is stiffly opposed by Okinawa citizens.

Maher told Kyodo News, ‘‘I am not in a position to comment on the record at this time,’’ saying his briefing was an off-the-record event. He said the account made available to Kyodo News is ‘‘neither accurate nor complete.’‘

The remarks attributed to Maher are being seen as provocative in Japan. They are ‘‘racially discriminating against Okinawa,’’ said Teruo Hiyane, a scholar on postwar Okinawan history. Ukeru Magosaki, a former Japanese diplomat, said Maher’s reported view on Japan is ‘‘biased and completely distorted.’‘

Maher spoke on Dec 3 at the request of American University to a group of 14 students just before their roughly two-week study tour to Tokyo and Okinawa.

In the speech, Maher was quoted as saying, ‘‘Consensus building is important in Japanese culture. While the Japanese would call this ‘consensus,’ they mean ‘extortion’ and use this culture of consensus as a means of extortion.’‘

‘‘By pretending to seek consensus, people try to get as much money as possible,’’ he said.
Maher also criticized people in Okinawa as ‘‘too lazy to grow ‘goya’ (bitter gourd),’’ which is a traditional summer vegetable in the southern prefecture, according to the account.

On the Futenma base, located in a crowded residential area of Ginowan, Maher allegedly said while Okinawans claim the base is the most dangerous in the world, they know that is it not true.

Civilian airports in Fukuoka and Osaka are ‘‘just as dangerous,’’ he reportedly said.

Maher was quoted as saying that the Japanese government ‘‘needs to tell the Okinawan governor, ‘if you want money, sign it,’’ in reference to the Futenma relocation plan.

Students who produced notes of Maher’s speech said he definitely made the remarks, with at least one saying it was surprising to hear statements full of bias from a person with a position in the U.S. government.
Maher, 56, served as consul general, the top U.S. envoy, in Okinawa from 2006 and 2009 after joining the State Department in 1981 and being posted to Tokyo and Fukuoka.

Maher said of the account provided to Kyodo that he ‘‘cannot control how individual students themselves might interpret remarks’’ and ‘‘it would therefore not be appropriate’’ to attribute any specific remarks to him ‘‘based upon secondhand information coming from students or others.’‘

In the summer of 2008, while he was posted in Okinawa, Maher sparked controversy after questioning why the local authorities were allowing the construction of homes in the residential area around the Futenma base. Plaintiffs seeking damages over noise from the U.S. base presented him with a written demand calling on him to immediately leave Okinawa.

Magosaki, former head of the international intelligence office at the Foreign Ministry, said he had the impression that ‘‘U.S. officials in charge of recent U.S.-Japan negotiations shared ideas like those of Mr Maher,’’ adding ‘‘in that sense, his remarks were not especially distorted.’‘

Hiyane, professor emeritus of the University of the Ryukyus, said he ‘‘cannot overlook’’ remarks describing Okinawans as ‘‘lazy’’ and ‘‘masters of manipulation and extortion,’’ adding Maher’s remarks represent ‘‘a blatant mentality of occupation.’‘

‘‘The U.S. military has for over 60 years after the war occupied land best fit for agriculture in Okinawa,’’ he said. ‘‘Were it not for U.S. bases, the local economy including agriculture would have been different.’‘
‘‘By pretending to seek consensus, people try to get as much money as possible,’’ he was quoted as saying.

He also described people in Okinawa as ‘‘masters of manipulation and extortion’’ in their relations with the central government, according to the account.

In Tokyo, top government spokesman Yukio Edano told a news conference, ‘‘I do not think it is necessary to verify every remark (made by a U.S. official) based solely on news reports,’’ noting that their two countries regularly discuss and share mutual understanding on a wide range of bilateral issues.

Edano made his remark when asked if the government would make inquiries with the United States about the matter.

*****************************
Kyodo News, March 8, 2011
http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/u-s-says-it-is-aware-of-okinawa-base-hosting-burdens-respects-local-people
U.S. says it is aware of Okinawa base-hosting burdens; respects local people

Tuesday 08th March, 08:42 AM JST

WASHINGTON —
The U.S. government is aware of the base-hosting burdens in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture and respects the local people, a U.S. official said Monday, following recent reports that said a State Department official is said to have made remarks disparaging the people.

‘‘We recognize the burden that the people of Okinawa bear in terms of our bases. We deeply appreciate that,’’ a State Department official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

‘‘We have a great deal of respect for Okinawa and its people,’’ the official added.

His remarks came after Kevin Maher, who heads the Japanese affairs office at the State Department, is said to have made offensive remarks about Japanese culture and people in Okinawa in a lecture to students in Washington late last year.

The unnamed official declined to confirm or deny Maher’s remarks, saying only, ‘‘I’m not going to comment on things that may or may not be accurate.’‘

He also said Washington will continue to work with Tokyo on the relocation of a key U.S. Marine base in the southern island prefecture.

Maher likened the Japanese cultural preference for maintaining social harmony to ‘‘extortion’’ and described the people on the southern island of Okinawa as ‘‘lazy,’’ according to a written account compiled by some students who attended the lecture.

以下、共同通信による日本語報道。
2011年03月06日
和の文化「ゆすりの手段」　
　沖縄は「ごまかしの名人」
　 メア米日本部長が発言　

　米国務省のメア日本部長（前駐沖縄総領事）が昨年末
、米大学生らに国務省内で行った講義で、日本人は合意
重視の和の文化を「ゆすりの手段に使う」 「沖縄はごま
かしの名人で怠惰」などと発言していたことが６日まで
に分かった。
　メア氏は米軍普天間飛行場（沖縄県宜野湾市）の移設
問題など日米交渉に実務者として深く関与、移設先を同
県名護市の辺野古崎地区とした現行案決着を米側で強く
主張してきた人物の一人。発言は差別的で、日本と沖縄
への基本認識が問われる内容だ。
　講義を聞いた複数の学生がメモを基に作成した「発言
録」（Ａ４判３ページ）によると、メア氏は「日本の和
の文化とは常に合意を追い求める」と説明したうえで「
日本人は合意文化をゆすりの手段に使う。合意を追い求
めるふりをしながら、できるだけ多くの金を得ようとす
る」と述べた。
　沖縄については、日本政府に対する「ごまかしとゆす
りの名人」「怠惰でゴーヤーも栽培できない」などと発
言。普天間飛行場は「（住宅地に近い）福岡空港や伊丹
空港と同じ」で特別に危険でないとし、日本政府は仲井
真弘多（なかいま・ひろかず）・沖縄県知事に「お金が
欲しいならサインしろ」と言うべきだと述べている。
　メア氏は共同通信の取材に、講義は「オフレコ（公開
しないこと）で行った」とし、発言録は「正確でも完全
でもない」としている。
　講義は米首都ワシントンのアメリカン大の学生ら１４
人に対し、彼らが東京と沖縄へ約２週間の研修旅行に出
発する直前の昨年１２月３日、大学側の要請で行われた。
　講義録を作成した学生たちは「メア氏は間違いなくこ
のように言った」と証言。「米政府の地位ある人物の偏
見に満ちた言葉にとても驚いた」「人種差別的発言と感
じた」などと話している。（共同通信編集委員　石山永
一郎）

メア日本部長の発言要旨　

　米国務省のメア日本部長の発言要旨は次の通り。
　海兵隊８千人をグアムに移すが、軍事的プレゼンス（
存在）は維持し、地域の安全を保障、抑止力を提供する
。
　（米軍再編の）ロードマップのもとで日本は移転費を
払う。日本の民主党政権は実施を遅らせているが、私は
現行案が実施されると確信している。日本政府は沖縄の
知事に対して「もしお金が欲しいならサインしろ」と言
う必要がある。ほかに海兵隊を持っていく場所はない。
　日本の文化は合意に基づく和の文化だ。合意形成は日
本文化において重要だ。
　しかし、彼らは合意と言うが、ここで言う合意とはゆ
すりで、日本人は合意文化をゆすりの手段に使う。合意
を追い求めるふりをし、できるだけ多くの金を得ようと
する。沖縄の人は日本政府に対するごまかしとゆすりの
名人だ。
　沖縄の主産業は観光だ。農業もあり、ゴーヤー（ニガ
ウリ）も栽培しているが、他県の栽培量の方が多い。沖
縄の人は怠惰で栽培できないからだ。
　日本に行ったら本音と建前について気を付けるように
。言葉と本当の考えが違うということだ。私が沖縄にい
たとき、「普天間飛行場は特別に危険ではない」と言っ
たところ、沖縄の人は私のオフィスの前で抗議をした。
　沖縄の人はいつも普天間飛行場は世界で最も危険な基
地だと言うが、彼らは、それが本当でないと知っている
。（住宅地に近い）福岡空港や伊丹空港だって同じよう
に危険だ。
　日本の政治家はいつも本音と建前を使う。沖縄の政治
家は日本政府との交渉では合意しても沖縄に帰ると合意
していないと言う。日本文化はあまりにも本音と建前を
重視するので、駐日米国大使や担当者は真実を言うこと
によって批判され続けている。
　（共同）

発言録は正確でない　

　ケビン・メア米国務省日本部長の話　学生たちにはオ
フレコ（公にしないこと）で講義を行った。彼らが私の
発言をどのように解釈し、ノートにとったかまでは関知
し得ないが、学生からの２次的な情報をもとに、特定の
発言を私の発言とするのは不適切だ。発言録は正確でも
完全でもない。（共同）


ゆがんだ対日観を共有か

　孫崎享（まごさき・うける）・元外務省国際情報局長
の話　偏見であり、あまりにもゆがんだ日本観だ。日米
安保条約に基づく日米関係では日本は基地を提供、米国
は安全を保障するという対等かつ相互が利益を得る関係
のはず。日本は他国と比べても多額の「思いやり予算」
を払っており、「ゆすり」などとんでもない。普天間飛
行場の危険を軽視している点も日米が危険を認識したう
えで進めている移設計画の大前提を否定しているかのよ
うだ。
　ただ、メア氏のような考えを最近の日米交渉にたずさ
わる米側担当者が共有している雰囲気はあった。その意
味では発言が突出してゆがんでいるとは思えない面もあ
る。

看過できない差別発言　

　比屋根照夫（ひやね・てるお）・琉球大学名誉教授（
沖縄戦後史）の話　メア氏の発言は赤裸々な「占領意識
」そのものであり、沖縄に対する人種差別発言だ。米軍
は沖縄の最も農業に適した土地を戦後６０年余りも占拠
し続けている。基地がなければ農業を含めた経済のあり
方も変わってくる。その現状を無視して、沖縄の人間を
「怠惰」「ごまかしとゆすりの名人」などという発言は
看過できない。米軍統治下でさえこれほどの侮蔑的な沖
縄観は表明されなかった。辺野古への基地移設案が動か
ない現状へのいら立ちが、図らずもメア氏の心底にある
沖縄蔑視を露呈させたのではないか。一方、それを記録
し、告発した米学生らの意識の高さに感銘を覚える。


ケビン・メア氏略歴　

　ケビン・メア氏　１９５４年生まれ。８１年、米国務
省入省。在日米大使館安全保障部長、駐福岡米領事など
を経て２００６年～０９年まで駐沖縄米総領事。
　総領事時代の０８年夏、普天間飛行場周辺に住宅地が
密集する状況について「なぜ市が建設を許しているのか
疑問がある」と発言、普天間爆音訴訟の原告らから「即
刻、沖縄から退島するよう」求める決議書を手渡された
。０９年４月には総領事館近くのコーヒー店で男に突然
コーヒーをかけられる被害を受け、沖縄県警が男を逮捕
している。
　帰米後も国務省日本部長として日米の実務者協議など
の際にたびたび来日している。東大客員研究員の経験も
あり、日本語が堪能。

Yoshida Kensei: Yanbaru Forest for a World Heritage Site 吉田健正「やんばるの森を世界自然遺産に」

Okinawan journalist Yoshida Kensei's essay for Peace Philosophy Centre calls for Yanbaru Forest, Okinawa to be designated as a World Heritage site. US and Japanese governments are planning to build six helipads, reportedly including V-22 Osprey capable pads in the neighbourhood of Takae Village in the northwestern part of the main island of Okinawa, despite local residents' opposition. Yoshida proposes a variety of ways to preserve and utilize Yanbaru Forest for sustainable development, such as a research centre for clean water securement, utilization of herbs, biotechnology, an ecological museum, a rest & relaxation place for the elderly and families, a place for nature study, and forest and marine sports.

Yoshida Kensei, former professor of International Relations at Obirin University, is author of Democracy Betrayed: Okinawa Under U.S. Occupation.



Yanbaru Forest in Northern Okinawa (Photo by Shimoji Yoshio)



 

やんばるの森を世界自然遺産に

吉田健正

米軍がやんばるの森に広がる北部訓練場のおよそ半分を返還する代わりに、残った訓練場内に６つの軍事ヘリパッドを新設する計画が進んでいる。普天間の代替基地として合意されている辺野古の新航空基地にはヘリコプターと飛行機の機能をつなぎあわせた、離着陸時の轟音・突風・墜落で知られる兵士輸送機オスプレイV-22の配備計画が確実視されており、ヘリパッドも嘉手納空軍基地や辺野古基地、沿岸の艦船と直結することが容易に推定できる。

この地域で、米軍は歩兵演習、ヘリコプター演習、耐久訓練、負傷者救出・輸送訓練などを行ってきた。しかし一帯は、軍事基地より、はるかに自然公園に向いている。生物多様性に詳しい桜井国俊元沖縄大学学長の言葉を借りれば、沖縄は「東洋のガラパゴス」と呼ばれるほど、やんばるの森、辺野古・大浦湾の海域、泡瀬干潟を中心に、生物種に富む。やんばるには、沖縄本島中南部の住民に貴重な飲料水を提供するダムも多い。世界自然保護基金ジャパン（WWWジャパン）も、やんばるの森を「地球上でここだけに生息するノグチゲラ，ヤンバルクイナなど，数多くの固有種，固有亜種，絶滅のおそれのある種の重要な生息地」になっているとして、「優先的に保護すべき地球上の重要な自然環境のひとつ」に位置づけ、ヘリパッド建設の中止を求めている。

北部訓練場は、総面積約7,500ヘクタール、沖縄県最大の基地だ。南側には名護市の辺野古岳一帯から辺野古湾にかけてキャンプ・シュワブ、その南には名護市、宜野座村、恩納村、金武町にかけてキャンプ・ハンセンが広がる。上空もほぼ米軍の空域だ。

北部訓練場は、1996年12月の「沖縄に関する特別行動委員会(SACO)」の最終合意意により、半分以上の約3,987ヘクタールの返還が決まった。しかし、それには、次の２つの条件がついていた。

① 訓練場の残余の部分から海への出入を確保するため、……土地（約38ヘクタール）及び水域（約121ヘクタール）を提供する。

② ヘリコプター着陸帯を、返還される区域から北部訓練場の残余の部分に移設する。

北部演習場の約半分を返還する代わりに、ヘリパッド、沿岸へのアクセス・ロード、水域を確保して、辺野古弾薬庫のあるキャンプ・ハンセン、キャンプ・シュワブ、日米間で新たに建設が合意されている辺野古航空隊基地につながる一帯を軍事利用しようという計画である。

病院や消防署、学校などに設置されているⒽ印のついたヘリパッドは救援・救助用着陸帯だが、キャンプ・ハンセンに39か所（金武町調査）、北部演習場に22もあるというヘリパッドは兵員輸送や落下傘降下訓練などのための軍事用である。

新たに、国頭村に４か所、東村高江周辺に2か所、計６つが建設されるというヘリパッドには、主翼の両端につけたエンジン格納円筒とローター（プロペラ）を上に向けて垂直に離陸したあと、それを前に傾けて(ティルト)通常の飛行機のように飛び、再び上に向けて着陸するオスプレイ（V-22）用の着陸ゾーンも計画されているという。離着陸時の騒音や爆風がひどい上、試作機の墜落が相次ぎ、海兵隊員を中心にすでに30数人ものパイロットと乗組員の命を奪った、あの新型戦闘員輸送機である。昨年4月には、米空軍がアフガニスタンで実戦投入したオスプレイが、エンジントラブルが原因と見られる墜落事故で、兵士3人と軍事契約業者1人が死亡、16人が負傷している。ヘリコプターだとエンジントラブルが起きてもプロペラが自動回転するため軟着陸できるが、オスプレイの場合はそのような軟着陸ができないため、両翼のいずれか接地し、あるいは機体が制御不能になって墜落して分解することが多くの墜落事故の原因になっているようだ。兵員以外に、装備品を積むと、重量が増して離着陸に失敗するケースもある。

海軍（海兵隊）を中心に、ベトナム戦争時代の中型戦闘員輸送機CH-46の後続機として1980年代初めから開発に力を入れてきたが、ヘリと比べて価格が５倍も高い上に、戦場で離着陸して飛ぶには危険が多く、「完成品」とは言いがたい。開発計画も、ウソの調査報告や証言(V-22スキャンダル)に毒されてきた。格納庫に隠されたままの欠陥機も多いという。

米海兵隊は、2012年10月にミラマー基地（カリフォルニア州サンディエゴ）の第５６１中型ティルトローター中隊、13年4月に第562中隊（計24機）を普天間に配備し、普天間飛行場に配備中のヘリ２個中隊を順次ミラマー基地に移すと発表している（「沖縄タイムス」、2010年10月1日）。

日本政府は、「普天間代替航空基地」の建設が合意されている辺野古を含むやんばるの住民にとって騒音迷惑と危険性が高い上に、自然を破壊する恐れがあり、中南部の住民にとって必須の水源地を破壊する可能性が高いオスプレイ配備には、はっきり「ノー」をつきつけるべきである。

仲井真知事は、海兵隊のV-22沖縄配備計画について、「もし本当だとすると反対だ。特にオスプレイは危険な機種というイメージが非常に強い。騒音が低くなるとも思えない」と述べ、「馬鹿げている」と不快感をあらわにした（「沖縄タイムス」）。

米国がv-22の「実験・訓練場」として、米軍基地の災難に苦しめられ続けてきた沖縄に”V-22 disaster”をもたらすのを防ぐためにも、やんばるの森の世界自然遺産の登録は不可欠だ。

那覇防衛施設局の「環境影響評価図書（2006年）」によれば、ヘリパッド建設予定地とその周辺では、「植物で12種、動物で11種の固有種・固有亜種、177種（環境省）～188種（沖縄県）の絶滅のおそれのある種を含む4,000種以上の野生生物」が記録されているという。「これは、世界自然遺産の選定基準のひとつである「世界的な価値の絶滅のおそれのある種を含む生物多様性の保存のための重要な自然の棲み場所がある地域」という項目を十分に満たしている」（世界自然保護基金ジャパン）というから、県と国は、ただちにユネスコに世界自然遺産登録を申請すべきだろう。

日本は、1992年、ナイロビ（ケニア）で採択された国連の「生物の多様性に関する条約（生物多様性条約」に米国を含む他の167国とともにただちに署名した。外務省によれば、「人類は、地球生態系の一員として他の生物と共存しており、また、生物を食糧、医療、科学等に幅広く利用している。近年、野生生物の種の絶滅が過去にない速度で進行し、その原因となっている生物の生息環境の悪化及び生態系の破壊に対する懸念が深刻なものとなってきた」。そこで、「①生物の多様性の保全、②生物多様性の構成要素の持続可能な利用、③遺伝資源の利用から生ずる利益の公正で衡平な配分」を目的とする本条約が締結されたのだという。昨年10月に、第10回締結国会議（COP=コップ10）が名古屋で開催されたことは記憶に新しい。

生物多様性条約の当初締結国で、人類にとっての生態系破壊を懸念する日本は、当然ながら、自然を破壊する米軍基地を維持・増設するのではなく、国をあげてやんばるの森や辺野古・大浦湾海域などの保全に取り組み、国定自然公園→世界自然遺産登録への手続きを開始すべきであろう。

やんばるが世界自然遺産に登録され、そこを浄水確保、薬草活用、バイオテクノロジー研究、生態系博物館、老人や家族向けの憩いの里、自然学習教室、山地スポーツや海洋スポーツなどに活用して循環型の地域振興に役立つようにすれば、軍事基地の島は沖縄の自然、観光、生活だけでなく、人類の平和と未来のためにも大いに貢献するはずだ。

琉球王朝時代の名残をとどめる斎場御嶽から久高島の一帯、戦跡や平和祈念公園、島々の蒼い海と珊瑚礁と白浜も、あわせて国定公園や世界遺産の指定を受け、「やんばる基金」のようなものができれば、基地のない、自然豊かな平和と癒しと観光の県になる。そうした運動が、県内だけでなく、世界のウチナンチュ、日本本土、近隣諸国、自然破壊を懸念する世界の人々の間でも起こることを期待している。

吉田健正
１９４１年、沖縄県に生まれる。ミズーリ大学と同大学院でジャーナリズムを専攻。沖縄タイムス、ＡＰ通信東京支社、ニューズウィーク東京支局、在日カナダ大使館を経て、桜美林大学国際学部教授。２００６年に退職後、沖縄に帰郷した。近著は『「戦争依存国家」アメリカと日本』（高文研　２０１０年）。

吉田健正さんのこのサイトでの過去の記事についてはこちらをご覧ください。

Empire - Hollywood and the war machine ハリウッドと軍産複合体の連携

"Empire examines the symbiotic relationship between the movie industry and the military-industrial complex."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v66HM5ILiwk

By Aljazeera English.