When Japan took back control of Okinawa and the rest of the Ryukyu Islands, locals expected the government in Tokyo to help stimulate the economy and reduce the American footprint (see map). Living standards have improved, but Okinawa is still the poorest of Japan’s 47 prefectures. Some American facilities have closed, but more than 25,000 American troops remain on Okinawa, which is home to 70% of