🇯🇵Okinawa: The future of US military bases l 101 East

Almost 50,000 US military personnel are stationed in Japan, more than half on the island of their presence has often been controversial. The Okinawa base is vital to the US in protecting its interests in Asia. But it is also important to Yukio Hatoyama, Japan’s prime minister, whose popularity is plummeting in the polls and who badly needs to win a majority in the parliament’s upper house elections in July. At Al Jazeera English, we focus on people and events that affect people’s lives. We bring topics to light that often go under-reported, listening to all sides of the story and giving a ’voice to the voiceless.’ Reaching more than 270 million households in over 140 countries across the globe, our viewers trust Al Jazeera English to keep them informed, inspired, and entertained. Our impartial, fact-based reporting wins worldwide praise and respect. It is our unique brand of journalism that the world has come to rely on. We are reshaping global media and constantly working to strengthen our reput