Relations between Tokyo and Washington are taking a toll recently as the conflict about the marine base in Okinawa and its closure and replacement with another structure elsewhere. Though it is agreed that the current base which neighbors an elementary school, needs to be closed as it causes many problems and violates numerous safety codes, leaders are butting heads on where it should be built. The population of Okinawa greatly opposes the idea of building another base elsewhere in the city, it takes up 1/4 of the city as it is now.
This issue has put strain on the relations between the two countries, delayed plans to restructure America's military presence in Asia and divided American and Japanese Leadership.