Okinawa Water: Polluted By Us Base?

The US military has a large presence on the Japanese island of Okinawa, with bases occupying around 18% of the main island. Since 1998, there have been over 415 incidents of toxic spills and dumping from these military facilities, threatening the local population and the ecosystem. In 2016, Okinawan authorities discovered high levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—toxic, cancer-causing compounds found in firefighting foam—in the island's drinking water. The contamination has been linked to US military bases, yet the US government has failed to take responsibility or allow inspections of its bases.

PFAS contamination

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals used to make coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. They are highly resistant to heat, oil and water, but this is also where their dangers lie. They are virtually indestructible and accumulate in our bodies, taking decades to expel. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that no level of PFOS or PFOA (two examples of PFAS compounds) in drinking water is safe.

The contamination of drinking water supplied to seven municipalities in Okinawa, home to 450,000 Okinawans, US service members, and their families, is a significant concern. Checks on residents who regularly drank the water showed that blood levels of some PFAS compounds were 53 times higher than the national average. The contamination has also been detected in spring water, fish, and farmers' fields.

The US military's lack of transparency and denial of access to its bases have led to calls for renegotiating the Japan SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) to incorporate international environmental law norms and to hold the military accountable for remediating environmental damage. Japan has been paying millions of dollars for filters at the island's main treatment plant to try to lower PFAS levels in the drinking water.

Toxic spills and dumping

Since 1998, there have been over 415 incidents of toxic spills and dumping from US military facilities in Okinawa. These incidents have contaminated the local ecosystem, with polluted matter flowing into rivers and affecting wildlife. The US military has also been accused of dumping radioactive waste into sewers beneath its bases in mainland Japan in 2011.

In 2015, the Pentagon released documents from the 1970s revealing "large fish kills" in the waters near Camp Kinser, indicating a high concentration of hazardous compounds in the sea. Investigative journalist Jon Mitchell has reported on water pollution at US bases in Okinawa, noting that during the 1960s, the water near Kadena was so contaminated that "it literally could be set on fire". From 1998 to 2016, Mitchell documented 650 environmental incidents at Kadena, largely caused by leaks of fuel and firefighting foam.

In 2016, Okinawan authorities detected high levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in rivers running through and near Kadena Air Base, the largest US Air Force installation in the Pacific. PFAS was also found in spring water, fish, farmers' fields, and the island's drinking water. PFAS are highly resistant to heat, oil, and water, but their accumulation in the body can lead to health issues such as cancers of the kidneys and testicles, high cholesterol, and decreased vaccine response. Checks on Okinawan residents showed that blood levels of some PFAS compounds were 53 times higher than the national average.

The US military's response to the water pollution affecting 450,000 people in Okinawa has been described as "deafening silence". While the Okinawa prefectural government has requested permission to inspect US bases, these requests have been denied or ignored. The US military's position is that it cannot be sure of the source of the contamination. However, internal reports from Kadena Air Base reveal that between 2001 and 2015, the facility mistakenly released at least 23,000 liters of various firefighting foams.

The US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) has been criticised for prohibiting the inspection of bases and removing accountability for environmental mismanagement. Under SOFA, the military is allowed to police itself, and bases are not subject to Japanese laws or punishment for violations. This has led to a lack of transparency and accountability regarding the environmental impact of US military bases in Okinawa.

Noise pollution

The US military has a long history of environmental contamination in Okinawa, Japan, including water pollution. However, there is also significant noise pollution caused by the US military bases, which has led to protests and health concerns.

US military jets flying near residential areas in Okinawa have caused high levels of noise pollution. A Japanese university study estimated that noise from the Kadena Air Base was responsible for an average of 10 deaths per year, with 17,000 people suffering from disturbed sleep patterns. Long-term exposure to aircraft noise has also been linked to health issues such as high blood pressure, a weakening of the immune system in children, and hearing loss. Okinawans have also expressed anger over noise pollution, with one resident stating that they had "put up with the noise pollution from US military bases as well as the crimes committed by personnel there".

The US Marine Corps Air Station at Futenma has been a particular source of concern for locals, with massive protests in 1996 leading to a promise from the United States to close the base. However, as of 2025, the base remains open, and it is still listed as one of the 14 US military installations on the islands.

The US military's response to noise pollution complaints has been largely inadequate, with the Pentagon repeatedly denying the health risks associated with aircraft noise. The military's secrecy and lack of transparency have further exacerbated the issue, as the exact extent of noise pollution and its impact on the local population are challenging to determine.

It is important to note that the US military's presence in Okinawa has also contributed to other forms of pollution, including water contamination and toxic spills. The discovery of high levels of Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the water has been a significant concern, with PFAS-contaminated water supplied to hundreds of thousands of Okinawans and US service members. The US military's lack of accountability and environmental mismanagement have led to protests and increased tensions between the local population and the military.

US military's secrecy and lack of accountability

The US military's activities in Okinawa have been shrouded in secrecy and a lack of accountability, leading to concerns about the safety and well-being of the local population and the environment.

One of the most prominent issues is the contamination of water sources. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are highly resistant to heat, oil, and water, have been detected in alarming levels in the island's drinking water. PFAS contamination has been linked to serious health issues, including cancers of the kidneys and testicles, high cholesterol, and decreased vaccine response. The US military's use of firefighting foam, which contains PFAS, has been identified as a significant contributor to the water contamination. Despite evidence of high levels of PFAS in water sources, the US military has shown a lack of transparency and accountability in addressing the issue. Requests by the Okinawan government and local residents to inspect military bases, such as Kadena Air Base, have been denied or met with silence. This lack of cooperation hinders efforts to understand the full extent of the contamination and implement effective remediation measures.

The US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement further complicates the situation by prohibiting the inspection of bases and removing accountability for environmental mismanagement. As a result, the military is allowed to police itself, operating with little oversight from Japanese authorities. This agreement has contributed to a culture of secrecy and a lack of transparency in the US military's operations in Japan.

The US military's activities in Okinawa have also been associated with other environmental concerns, including toxic spills, dumping of radioactive waste, and construction works that threaten endangered species and indigenous communities. Since 1998, there have been over 415 incidents of toxic spills and dumping from military facilities, with polluted matter flowing into rivers and the ecosystem. The US military's accidental use of depleted uranium rounds at an Okinawan live-fire range in 1995 and 1996 and the dumping of radioactive waste into sewers beneath US bases in mainland Japan in 2011 further illustrate the lack of accountability and transparency in their operations.

The impact of the US military's presence extends beyond environmental concerns. The seizure of land from Okinawans to build and expand bases has resulted in the displacement of a significant number of residents. Additionally, the prolonged exposure to aircraft noise around military bases, such as Kadena Air Base, has been linked to health issues, including disrupted sleep patterns, high blood pressure, and immune system weaknesses in children.

In conclusion, the US military's secrecy and lack of accountability in Okinawa have led to water contamination, environmental degradation, and adverse health impacts on the local population. The US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, which prohibits inspections and removes accountability, further exacerbates these issues. Addressing these concerns and ensuring the safety and well-being of the Okinawan people and their environment require increased transparency and cooperation from the US military.

Impact on local Okinawan communities and ecosystems

The US military bases in Okinawa have had a detrimental impact on the local communities and ecosystems. The bases occupy around 18% of Okinawa's land, which has resulted in the displacement of residents and imposition of economic losses on the Okinawan economy. The military activities have also caused noise pollution, affecting the health of residents, including sleep patterns, heart problems, and cognitive issues in children.

The US military's use of the land for biological warfare tests and live-fire exercises has resulted in the contamination of the environment with depleted uranium and herbicides. There have been over 415 incidents of toxic spills and dumping from the military facilities since 1998, with polluted matter flowing into rivers and affecting the ecosystem. This has led to the contamination of drinking water and threats to wildlife, with high levels of PCBs and DDTs found in local species.

The US military's activities have also impacted the cultural and social fabric of Okinawan communities. The presence of the bases has created a division between local inhabitants and the American military, with land seizures and displacement of residents causing resentment. The noise pollution from the bases has disrupted the traditions of indigenous people, who have maintained the area's interconnected ecosystems in balance.

The contamination of water in Okinawa is a significant issue. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are highly resistant to heat, oil, and water, have been detected in rivers, spring water, fish, and farmers' fields. PFAS contamination has been linked to various health issues, including cancers, high cholesterol, and decreased vaccine response. Checks on residents revealed blood levels of PFAS compounds that were 53 times higher than the national average.

The US military's response to these issues has been deafening silence and a lack of transparency. Requests by local officials and residents to inspect the bases have been met with resistance and denials. The current US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement prohibits the inspection of bases and removes accountability for environmental mismanagement. The Japanese government has paid for the remediation of former bases, and the Okinawa prefectural government has spent millions to address water contamination.

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