Where it all began

Okinawa is the largest island of more than 140 islands in Okinawa Prefecture. Its history is flooded with beauty, culture, people and delicious food. Okinawa also carries a dark past, it is known for a season of war. Placing a large battle between the Americans and Japanese. Which over time planted American military bases on this tiny island. The US military presence in Japan and on Okinawa began at the end of World War II.

Okinawa hosts more service members by far than any other prefecture. (Reference 1) According to U.S. Forces’ Japan headquarters at Yokota Air Base, as of February 2016, there were 47,200 service members based in Japan, including 11,700 aboard vessels of the 7th Fleet. In addition, there were 3,510 U.S. civilian personnel and 41,695 family members. Of the 47,200 service members, 17,400 were in the are Navy, 15,000 in the Marines Corps, 12,300 in the Air Force and 2,500 in the Army personnel.