U.S. to return Okinawa tract to Japan

The U.S. will return 9,900 acres of land on Okinawa to Japan — the largest hand-back since the island reverted to Japanese control in 1972.

The military will return part of the Northern Training Area, reducing the amount of U.S.-administered land in Okinawa by 17 percent, the U.S. Forces Japan said in a statement Friday. The area has been used by U.S. forces for jungle-warfare training.

“The U.S. is granted the right to certain exclusive-use facilities for the purpose of the defense of Japan and maintenance of peace and security in the Far East,” said Maj. Gen. Charles Chiarotti, deputy commander of U.S. forces in Japan. “Under the treaty, once facilities or areas are no longer necessary to meet those ends, they will be returned to Japanese government.”

“The construction of several replacement helicopter landing zones to consolidate training within other existing areas will allow the return of almost 4,000 hectares,” Chiarotti said.

In December, the nations agreed to speed up the return of some smaller tracts of land on the subtropical island.

Okinawa plays host to roughly half the 50,000 U.S. personnel in Japan, the biggest deployment of U.S. forces outside the home front.

Residents have long complained about the military presence on the island and crimes committed by U.S. servicemen stationed at nearby bases.