«OKINAWA» FACTOR IN JAPANESE-AMERICAN RELATIONS

The article deals with the problems of the American military presence in Japan. The joint work of Japan and the United States on the transfer of American military facilities from the island of Okinawa is analyzed. The influence of the Okinawan factor on the resignation of Japan's leader, Democrat leader Y. Hatoyama, in particular through the conflict around the US Navy Air Force Base “Futenma”, is highlighted. The authors came to the conclusion that the US military presence in Japan is important for both states, and the existence of a conflict around the “Futenma” base will have a greater impact on the domestic political situation in Japan than on relations with Washington.