Okinawa Consolodation Program begins, US returns land used by Marine Corps to Japan

CAMP BUTLER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

08.30.2013

Story by Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Case 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S. D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan - Today the U.S. government returned land that was once part of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler to the Government of Japan.

The north access road of Makiminato Service Area, North of Camp Kinser, is the first of four immediate land releases under the Okinawa Consolidation Program, part of the Defense Policy Review Initiative.

The release of the land comes from the agreement between Japan and U.S. government officials to reduce the impact of U.S. forces on Okinawa under the Joint Statement of the Security Consultative Committee and the DPRI.

Under the joint statement, the SCC reconfirmed that the U.S.-Japan alliance continues to provide the deterrence and capabilities for the defense of Japan and for the maintenance of peace, security and economic prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

The SCC decided to adjust agreements made in 2006 under the U.S.-Japan Roadmap for Realignment Implementation by delinking the relocation of Marine Corps personnel to Guam and the resulting land returns south of Kadena Air Base from the progress of the Futenma Replacement Facility.

Under the plan, the United States will consolidate its forces over time and reduce its impact on the most populated parts of Okinawa. Once these plans are implemented, 2,600 acres, approximately 1,000 hectares will be returned to the people of Okinawa and Japan.

• Date Taken: 08.30.2013
• Date Posted: 08.30.2013 22:32
• Story ID: 112938
• Location: CAMP BUTLER, OKINAWA, JP