Okinawa-ken

The island prefecture of Okinawa is home to the largest American military base in the western Pacific Ocean. The local residents have long been tormented by this distinction, and there are calls and plans to move the base, although suitable sites are rare in this overdeveloped country.

One plan includes a new airport in a remote part of the island, although the available landing space is only sufficient for helicopters.

The oceans around Okinawa are tropical and host a variety of coral reefs and tropical foliage and fauna to rival the best diving destinations in the world.