.... there's always those Yankee greenbacks to consider ...
Ah, yes, story time.
Early 1970, early in the first Nixon administration, I was on the project to reduce the number of US Navy ships (boats to you guys) from about 1,600 to 700, ergo Project 701 as I recall. Elimination of uneeded bases/facilities were also on the table. A sort of Pre-BRAC brac (small letters).
We put together a plan that included return of the entire Yokosuka Naval Base, the entire Yokohama complex (mostly dependent housing, except North Pier, then primarily an Army facility). NAS Atsugi was included but think we were to keep some parts. Kamiseya was also set for closing.
We mounted our trusty steeds, along with the folks from the Foreign Ministry (ops.. State Department) and went off to see the wizards in Japan Land. Talk about mis-reading the tea-leaves, we though the GOJ would accept the plan. However, it set off a firestorm. Under no conditions would Japan allow the US Navy to leave the Kanto area. They promised us everything, incuding massive amounts of money to "refurbish" facilities. Well, Navy is still in Yokosuka, Atsugi (redesignated NAF) and even Kamiseya (which is vacant after CTF 72 left).
Okinawa was not included in the plan, per se, although some realignment was accomplished. Okinawa was still under US Administration, as I recall the locals in Okinawa were against reversion of Japanese control by an 80-20 margin, according to some polls, and riots in the streets against reversion.. The American public was against return of Okinawa to Japan by an almost 90 percent margine (Lou Harris polls as I recall).
However, Pres Nixon took the issue head on, started negotiations to return Okinawa to Japan. He was savaged on both fronts, e.g., homefront and Okinawa. As I recall we had about 10,000 tons of chermical weapons on Okinawa, I am not sure what types were included in that stockpile, maybe just tear gas (smilly face - what happend to those things). It was rumored that nuclear weapons were stored on the Island? (I know nothing!!). First things first, all that was removed - or not removed if they were never there!! May 1972 the Japanese flag replaced the American flag in Okinawa, some 20 years after the peace treaty.
Nap time!