Defense Academy chief makes gaffe in criticizing opponents of new U.S. base construction

Japan Press Weekly

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Defense Academy chief makes gaffe in criticizing opponents of new U.S. base construction

National Defense Academy President Iokibe Makoto on December 5 stated, “Henoko will be danger-free and noise pollution-free even if the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City, Okinawa, is relocated to the coastline of Nago’s Henoko district,” also in Okinawa. He also said, “I’ve never heard anyone say he or she has actually seen a dugong in waters off Henoko”.

The National Defense Academy president is a senior Defense Ministry official. His criticism of the government of Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio came while Japan-U.S. negotiations on the relocation issue are underway.

Iokibe was speaking at an open seminar held by the International House of Japan, Inc. (an NPO, established in 1952 with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, chaired by Akashi Yasushi, former deputy U.N. General Secretary).

He said, “Although there are traces of dugongs that ate seaweed on the sea bed off Henoko, such traces of their existence can be found elsewhere.”

He went on to say, “If you say Futenma is dangerous and noisy, you will find Nago free from dangers and noise pollution.”

In relation to Okinawans’ burdens associated with the concentration of U.S. military bases there, Iokibe stated, “We must thank them and sincerely apologize for forcing them to endure the inconvenience.”

The defense academy president also stated, “The new government led by the Democratic Party of Japan should not abandon the previous government’s foreign and security policies.”

Iokibe, a former professor at Kobe University who specialized in political science and diplomacy, became the president of the National Defense Academy in August 2008.

- Akahata, December 7, 2009