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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Local mayors oppose PAC-3 deployment in Okinawa

Mayors in Okinawa are voicing opposition to the Japan-U.S. plan to deploy Patriot interceptor missiles in the prefecture.

The Japanese and U.S. governments on July 20 announced that the U.S. forces will deploy Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles to intercept ballistic missiles at the U.S. Kadena Air Base and the U.S. Kadena Ammunition Storage Area in Okinawa by the end of this year.

It will be the first time that PAC-3 missiles, which are part of the U.S. missile defense system, are deployed in Japan. At the Kadena base, 24 missiles, including advanced Patriot interceptor missiles and interceptor missiles for antiaircraft cruise missiles (PAC-2), will be based.

Defense Facilities Administration Agency Director General Kitahara Iwao on the same day visited the Okinawa prefectural government and municipalities to seek their acceptance of the plan.

After meeting with Kitahara, Okinawa Governor Inamine Keiichi said, "It is regrettable that PAC-3 missiles will be deployed while no specific measures have been taken to reduce Okinawa's burden."

Kadena Town Mayor Miyagi Tokujitsu in opposition to the plan said, "Local residents will be forced to endure an additional burden, emotionally and physically. I don't understand the logic that the deployment of PAC-3s to defend the U.S. military facilities will consequently be good for us."

Okinawa City Mayor Tomon Mitsuko criticized the plan, saying, "Deployment of PAC-3 missiles will add to the local residents concern that the Kadena base might be a target of outside military attack. The plan runs counter to taking measures to ease our burden."

Although local municipalities expressed opposition in June, following media reports that the PAC-3 deployment at the Kadena base, arbitrarily decided by the Japanese and U.S. governments is causing increasing anger among local residents.
- Akahata, July 21, 2006