Kichi mondai (the military base problem) : a study of how American bases in Okinawa are presented to the American people

Media representations play a role in how one perceives a particular space. The American media presented the American military bases in Okinawa during the period of American civil administration (1945-1972) as necessary and beneficial for the Okinawan people . Because the media linked the bases and the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands (USCAR) as dependent upon one another, the media considered the benefits brought to Okinawa by the existence ofUSCAR a result of the bases as well. Despite Okinawan resistance to both USCAR and the military bases, the press presented the Okinawan people as actually wanting the United States presence in Okinawa. The press represented protesters as the minority . As United States changed its policy towards Okinawa over the course of the existence of US CAR, the media changed the representation of the military bases to meet the new American policy