Gov’t calls for SDF co-use of new US base

Japan Press Weekly

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

Gov’t calls for SDF co-use of new US base

The government has requested the United States to allow Japanese Self-Defense Forces to jointly use a new U.S. base which the two governments are planning to build as an alternative to the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa.

This was revealed by Defense Minister Kitazawa Toshimi at a press conference on August 31, where he released a bilateral report on construction options for the new base in Nago City’s Henoko district.

The Ground SDF 15th Brigade has already carried out joint exercises with the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Hansen in Okinawa.

Kitazawa said at the press conference, “In addition to the issue of security, joint use of the new base by the SDF and the U.S. forces will help establish strong ties between the locality, the SDF, and the U.S, forces.”

However, Okinawans are hostile to the strengthening of the SDF due to the horrendous ground battle in Okinawa at the end of WW II in which the Japanese Imperial Army forced many residents to commit mass suicide. The SDF has been facing strong local opposition against its deployment in Okinawa’s Miyako and Yaeyama Islands.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary for Defense Nagashima Akihisa stated during his speech in Tokyo on July 26, “U.S. Marines are necessary in Okinawa because of the weak presence of the GSDF there. Part of the GSDF needs to play the role of the Marines.”

- Akahata, September 2, 2010