May 5, 1998*
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By mid 1998, the Japanese political and economical situation had changed. The economy was still sluggish, and in some sectors in recession, resulting in higher unemployment rates. The proposed economic reforms of 1994 had failed or were never carried out. In the next round of elections, the people of Japan elected a radical and ultra-conservative Prime Minister. Promising a greater international role and stronger military for Japan, the Prime Minister proceeds to expand the JDF (Japan Defense Force). In the meantime, the sticky issues of U.S. troops based in Japan and Okinawa remained. The Japanese government demanded an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. forces in the region. The Prime Minister stated that Japan would now provide security for the region. The U.S. Administration wanted a slow but gradual phased pull out to relocate the forces elsewhere. Not wishing to lose face, the Japanese government insisted the U.S. to pull out or to be "forced" out by any means. The Prime Minister decided to strike before the U.S. could prepare. On March 15, 1998, JDF units moved in on the American bases and swiftly disarmed the troops. All things went smoothly except at Okinawa, where elements of the U.S. 3rd Marine Division resisted for several days before being disarmed. For all practical purposes a shooting war between Japan and United States had started! The U.S. President ordered a naval blockade and economic sanctions against Japan, hoping that Japanese government would see reason. As the weeks passed and no solution in sight, pressure was building to do "something" quickly. Both nations' populations wanted to see an end to the crisis but neither government could back down without losing some "face." The President of the United States decided to gamble on a quick amphibious invasion of Okinawa. If the island fell back into American hands, it could cause the fall of Japanese government.*
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Advance units of the U.S. 1st Marine Division have begun landing on Okinawa near Minatoga. As part of this undertaking, you are ordered to secure a beachhead on Okinawa.
