This paper examines the impact of local political dynamics on U.S.-Japan security relations, focusing on the vulnerabilities of U.S. military bases in Okinawa. Using Kawana's framework of...Show moreThis paper examines the impact of local political dynamics on U.S.-Japan security relations, focusing on the vulnerabilities of U.S. military bases in Okinawa. Using Kawana's framework of substitutability, urgency, and specificity, it explores how local actors in Okinawa influence national security policies. Through key confrontations, the research highlights the central government’s limited capacity to impose security policies without addressing local opposition and underscores the complexities of maintaining stable security arrangements amidst these challenges.Show less
