Okinawa islanders resent discordant US military presence

ASIA LETTER: A hush descends over the small bar in Naha City as Japan's most celebrated folk singer begins his song of peace. Approximately 100 people, ranging from 17 to 70 years of age, are packed into the Chakra club on the idyllic Japanese island of Okinawa to hear their idol, the legendary Kina Shoukichi, perform.

Tonight, Kina is playing the sanshin, a local three-stringed banjo-like instrument covered with snakeskin. Sitting on stage, he closes his eyes and launches into Hana, the song which won him fame in Japan. In English, it means "A Flower for Everyone's Heart".

In the club tonight there is a group of journalists from Europe and Japan. They are attending an EU-organised conference on geopolitics in Asia post-September 11th. Leading the group is the EU ambassador to Japan, Mr Ove Juul Jorgensen.