Storyline: Residents of the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa fear they are caught in the crosshairs of regional tensions after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently made provocative remarks on Taiwan. Okinawa, which is composed of roughly two-thirds of the Ryukyu Islands, has long been a strategic flashpoint in the region. Just 600 kilometers from Taiwan, the island sits at the center of growing regional tensions, and many locals believe Okinawa would be among the first to feel the impact of any military escalation. In the quiet coastal community of Henoko, one resident has turned his livelihood into a form of protest. Hiroshi Inaba runs a guesthouse for activists who travel from across Japan to oppose the expansion of the nearby U.S. military base. "I first came here myself to take part in the opposition movement. I thought it would be great if there were a guesthouse nearby for people like me, so I looked for one," he said. Okinawa represents less than one percent of Japan's territory but hosts more than 70 percent of U.S. military facilities in the country. Protesters argue that Japan's push to expand its military capabilities, and now openly discuss supporting Taiwan, puts Okinawa directly in the line of fire. Day after day, for more than a decade, residents have gathered by a road leading to a military base to block trucks and voice their anger. They say the decisions are made in Tokyo and Washington, while the risks fall squarely here. "That's why they oppose the bases, and why they are so sensitive to things like Osprey military aircraft. But the Japanese government doesn't seem to understand. They just push anything inconvenient onto Okinawa," said Inaba. Exactly eight decades ago, Okinawa was the site of one of World War II's most intense and bloodiest land battles. At a local memorial site, nearly a quarter of a million names, many of them civilians, serve as a constant reminder of the brutality of war. It's part of a memory etched into the brains of many Okinawans, who believe that at any point, history could repeat itself. "There are fewer and fewer people still alive today who experienced the war themselves. That's why, when we think about politics or the conflicts happening around the world now, we really need to learn from history. By studying the past, we can feel and understand so much more. We have to remember what happened - and make sure Japan, and the world, remain peaceful," said Koki Shinke, a Tokyo resident visiting the memorial. Polls suggest most Okinawans oppose further military buildup, a reminder that for many residents, peace is not achieved by adding more weapons, but by remembering the true cost of war. Shotlist: Okinawa Prefecture, Japan - Recent: 1. Seaside scenery 2. Map 3. Various of scenery, peace memorial park, street 4. Various of guesthouse for activists, owner sitting by entrance, various of merchandise sold in guesthouse 5. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Hiroshi Inaba, guesthouse owner: "I first came here myself to take part in the opposition movement. I thought it would be great if there were a guesthouse nearby for people like me, so I looked for one." 6. Various of U.S. military base 7 Various of protest signs against military base by roadside 8. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Hiroshi Inaba, guesthouse owner (starting with shot 7): "That's why they oppose the bases, and why they are so sensitive to things like Osprey military aircraft. But the Japanese government doesn't seem to understand. They just push anything inconvenient onto Okinawa." 9. Various of peace memorial park, names engraved in stones 10. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Koki Shinke, Tokyo resident (starting with shot 9): "There are fewer and fewer people still alive today who experienced the war themselves. That's why, when we think about politics or the conflicts happening around the world now, we really need to learn from history. By studying the past, we can feel and understand so much more. We have to remember what happened - and make sure Japan, and the world, remain peaceful." 11. Various of peace memorial park [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]