Marines Begin Transfer from Okinawa to Guam Amid Local Concerns

The partial transfer of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam began on Saturday, a significant step in a 12-year agreement between Japan and the United States aimed at reducing the American military footprint on the island.

Initially, 100 members of the III Marine Expeditionary Force are relocating to Guam for logistical preparations. Under the 2012 plan, about 9,000 of the 19,000 Marines in Okinawa will be moved, with 4,000 transitioning to Guam in phases. Details on future transfers remain unclear.

Japan has invested up to $2.8 billion in U.S. base infrastructure in Guam, while the U.S. government will cover the remaining costs. Joint training exercises between the Marines and Japan Self-Defense Forces are also planned.

Okinawa, which houses the majority of American troops in Japan, has long faced complaints about noise, pollution, and crime linked to the military presence. Although the move may be welcomed, concerns persist about the local impact, especially with Japan’s military buildup in response to threats from China.

This transfer occurs against a backdrop of rising anti-U.S. sentiment, heightened by recent incidents involving American servicemen, including a conviction for kidnapping and sexual assault that sparked local outrage.