Hi. I’m a member of the US military, and will be deploying to the Pacific AOR in the near future, most likely out of Okinawa. I’m sure I’ll have a great time when I’m not actively working. I’ve visited Yokosuka, Kamakura and Osaka before, and I loved all three cities. I’ve gathered Okinawa is different from mainland Japan in several ways, but all the same, I’m pretty confident I’m going to have a good time exploring the place.
That said, I’ve read that us US servicemen are not very popular in Okinawa, due to all of the crimes that various Marines and Sailors have committed over the years. I want to actually engage with the island and its people as much as I can while I’m there, not just stay on base, so this concerns me. How prevalent is anti-American sentiment in Okinawa, and are there any specific recommendations you guys have to try and counteract it? Other than the obvious ones like don’t get overly drunk and rowdy, obey the laws, be polite, maybe learn a little Japanese. I’ve never been to Okinawa before, so I’m pretty much going in blind.
Thanks in advance.
by SionnachOlta