US Marines start partial transfer from Okinawa in Japan to Guam under plan agreed 12 years ago

The partial transfer of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam began after 12 years of planning to reduce the American troop presence on the southern Japanese island, with 100 members of III Marine Expeditionary Force moving for initial logistical work. A total of 9,000 Marines are set to be relocated from Okinawa to Guam under an agreement between Tokyo and Washington, with Japan funding infrastructure costs on Guam and joint training between Marines and Japan Self Defense Forces planned. The move comes amidst local complaints about the U.S. military presence on Okinawa, growing anti-U.S. military sentiment following recent sexual assault cases, and increased Japanese military buildup on Okinawan islands as a deterrence to threats from China.

Full Article