An ongoing feud with the United States over the future of an American military base in Okinawa may end up costing Japan's prime minister his job, a weekend poll shows. Two out of three Japanese say they disapprove of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, according to a Nikkei newspaper poll. It shows that 68 percent of voters disapprove of the prime minister's performance and 59 percent say he should resign if he can't resolve the fight over the future of the Futenma Air Base in Okinawa. The poll comes on the heels of a massive rally in Okinawa, where nearly 100,000 residents gathered Sunday to demand the base move off the island. But last year, as then-candidate Hatoyama campaigned for the country's top job, he promised to move the base off of Okinawa altogether. The issue is an emotional one for Okinawans who currently give up 10 percent to 20 percent of the island to the U.S. military. CNN
Whenever I turn on the news, I always see the problem about the Okinawa base. I feel that Mr. Hatoyama should resign from his position as the Prime Minister since firstly, more than half of the nation feels that he should resign, and secondly, because he was not able to keep his promise. It is an act of betrayal for the Japanese people who voted for him and bleieved in him, and he should take responsibility by resigning. Many may say that it is not that easy to bring change that quickly, however, look at President Obama. He promised change during his campaign, and as he said, he is bringing change to America. It's only been a year since he took office and he already was able to create a health care reform. I feel that if Mr.Hatoyama is as passionate to bringing change, he would be able to move the base from Okinawa to Kagoshima. Hopefully, he will be able to end this conflict over the Okinawa base soon,
