ld be eliminated or greatly reduced upon the return to Japan. However, in the 28 years since Okinawa's restoration to Japan, only about 15% of the total base area has returned to private land owners, compared with 60% of bases on mainland Japan. One reason was that the Japanese-American Defense Treaty of the same year essentially assured the US that its base functions in Okinawa would not decline even after the reversion -- a treaty that was drafted and signed without consulting with the Okinawans.
The 1995 rape case became the straw that broke the camel's back. The outrage of the Okinawan people led to a series of events that have had great impact on the US-Japan alliance. While the alliance has remained intact and there have been no major changes in practical terms, the US and Japan have finally realized that Okinawa will no longer stay silent about the grapeh of her land and people. The US and Japan were forced to adopt policies and agendas that would ease the anger of the Okina
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