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Despite Tokyo's strongest efforts, 53.8 percent of

voters rejected the proposal, most of them unequivocally;

37.9 percent supported the initiative only because they

believed the economic benefits would be substantial.  Just

8.3 percent backed the project without qualification.

Although satisfied by the result, Miyagi complains, "The

saddest part of the referendum is that the government suc-

ceeded in splitting the city.  People feel stress over the

referendum itself, not just the results."34

Nago's mayor nevertheless announced his support for

the proposal--because of the central government's promises

of substantial economic aid--and then effectively fell on

his sword by resigning.  He was succeeded by a candidate

who offered ambiguous backing for the base but vowed to

abide by Governor Ota's decision.35   Then Ota, whose ap-

proval is necessary for the use of Okinawan waters,

announced that he would not approve the heliport, greatly

angering Hashimoto.  Ota explained, "We must respect the

will of the people because it is the fundamental rule of

democracy."36   Says editor Ken Miki, "Hashimoto thought

Okinawa would accept [the heliport] proposal."  The prime

minister had "great expectations, but the result was the

opposite, so he was really disappointed."37   The central

government hasn't given up, observes one Ota staffer, but

the project seems stalled.

Indeed, some outside observers warn Tokyo against

attempting to impose this or any other strategy without

local consent.  Columnist Frank Ching contends, "If Tokyo

decides on strong-arm tactics and rides roughshod over the

Okinawans again, the resulting outcry may put in jeopardy

not just the heliport but all U.S. bases on Okinawa."38

But even Ota's agreement would not necessarily make

the plan feasible.  According to the General Accounting

Office, the United States and Japan face "(1) significant

costs to acquire and maintain the facility; (2) major

technological challenges, as no sea-based facility of the

type and scale envisioned has ever been built; and (3)

operational complications because the sea-based facility

envisioned would be insufficient to support all U.S. oper-

ating requirements and maintain maximum safety margins."39

U.S. military commanders privately doubt it will ever be

built.40

Threadbare Justifications for Keeping the Bases

In any case, SACO does not reach the more fundamental

issue: why should the United States continue to dominate