Land Return Promotes Partnership, Strengthens Alliance

NAHA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

05.20.2018

Story by Matthew Manning 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Commemorating the handover of land areas to the land owners of the West Futenma Housing Area along with more than three hectares of land at the Makiminato Service Area, the Government of Japan hosted a ceremony May 20 at the Naha Terrace.

"We deeply appreciate the Government of Japan's efforts to make these land returns a reality," said Maj. Gen. Charles G. Chiarotti, deputy commander of U.S. Forces Japan. "In particular, their prompt work constructing new entry control points and movement of the installation fence at Camp Kinser, enabled the turnover of Makiminato Service Area to be completed faster than anyone expected."

Though this return is relatively small in size, the Makiminato Service Area offers considerable relief to traffic congestion near Camp Kinser.
Plans are in place to add additional lanes to Route 58 near Camp Kinser, and the return of the West Futenma Housing Area can serve as a model for future land returns, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

Since 1972, the Marine Corps has returned more than 7,200 hectares of land and approximately 8,000 hectares of water area back to the people of Okinawa. The return is part of the 1996 Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) agreement between the Japanese and U.S. governments.

“The Marine Corps remains committed to fulfilling our alliance agreements and keeping good faith with our gracious hosts here on Okinawa,” said Brig. Gen. Paul J. Rock Jr., commanding general, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. “This serves as a gesture of that commitment, and I hope the development of these two pieces of land are met with success so that all of Okinawa may benefit."

• Date Taken: 05.20.2018
• Date Posted: 05.23.2018 02:42
• Story ID: 278029
• Location: NAHA, OKINAWA, JP