| Environmental degradation has become an increasingly important issue in Japan's Okinawa Prefecture. Soil erosion, degradation of coral reefs, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity are some of the chief concerns. This dissertation investigates the direct and indirect causes of these problems. It especially assesses the degree to which the U.S. military's presence in Okinawa can be held responsible for environmental degradation.; This study explores these themes from the perspective of political ecology. Theoretical approaches to this field are contested, therefore a new model of political ecology is suggested. This approach stresses regional and national political economy, the importance of scale, the appropriate objects of study, and addresses the question of normative goals. In the process, some dominant themes in contemporary political ecology are critiqued.; The methodology of the study employs archival methods, field research, and informal discussion interviews with key informants. First, the environmental history of Okinawa is discussed over four time periods: the post-war period, the Battle of Okinawa, the U.S. occupation period, and the post-reversion period. Sections address the problems of soil erosion, deforestation, and coral reef degradation throughout these periods. Finally, a specific assessment of the environmental impacts of the U.S. military is conducted. Two case studies, the Central Training Area and the Northern Training Area are examined.; The results of the study show that the U.S. military has had both negative and positive impacts on Okinawa's environment, as some areas under their authority have been degraded while others have seen high levels of environmental protection. Factors relating to Okinawa's development policies and its political economy have been more instrumental in directly causing most of Okinawa's environmental degradation. Nonetheless, the U.S. military has had indirect effects upon the structure of Okinawa's political economy that have in turn negatively influenced Okinawa's environmental situation. Thus an important aspect of political ecology is to conduct environmental histories that trace the indirect causes of environmental problems. |
