Protests in Okinawa over a recent series of alleged crimes by U.S. servicemen have been low-profile, in contrast to last summer when a nonpartisan movement gathered momentum to protest the government's position on World War II history.
Some hope to stage big protest targeting U.S. bases later this month, but there are few signs suggesting that turnout will be high enough to call it a prefecturewide movement.
Behind the atmosphere is cautiousness by the local chapter of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party about joining rallies against U.S. bases for fear that highlighting the politically sensitive issue could prompt people to back opposition parties in the June prefectural assembly election.