This was recognized by the DPJ, which would like Japan to play a more independent role, as a more equal ally, rather than a mere protectorate, of the US, and thus be a more assertive political player in Asia. Hence, the first symbolic step was to get the US to move its marines from Okinawa, an island that has carried the burden of a US military presence for much too long.
日本民主党意识到了这一点，并希望日本能够扮演一个更加独立的角色，不仅仅是美国的受保护国，而是一个平等盟友，并因此在亚洲政治舞台上拥有更多自主权。而第一个象征性步骤就是要让美国将其海军基地撤出冲绳——这是一个长期承担着美国军事存在的压力，并已经不堪重负的地区。