Okinawa hosts nearly three-quarters of the U.S. military bases in Japan, and those who oppose calls to reduce this burden have often said the island prefecture is dependent on the bases for its economy.
However, some experts now say there are increasing opportunities for prosperity in Okinawa even without the economic benefits of hosting the bases — which include rent income and consumption by service members — given recent examples of commercially successful use of land returned to Japan by U.S. forces.
"Okinawa's economy is no longer dependent on the U.S. bases," said Yasuo Kurima, a professor emeritus at Okinawa International University. But he also noted that it is uncertain whether such chances would increase when more land is returned.