November 25, 2021

An MV-22 Osprey assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma base dropped a stainless steel water bottle onto a dense residential area in Okinawa’s Ginowan City on November 23, but no one was injured.

The drop accident was reported to the Okinawa Prefectural government from the U.S. military via the Japanese Defense Ministry’s local bureau in the morning of the following day.

In response to the report, Governor Tamaki Denny held a press conference in the prefectural office building. Referring to another drop accident caused by the same type of aircraft in August, the governor stressed that Okinawan people, especially residents near the Futenma base, have increased concerns regarding their safety, and added that he will lodge with the Japanese and U.S. governments a strong protest against the latest incident.

Tamaki said that the national government should stop clinging to continuing with the U.S. base construction project in Nago’s Henoko and instead take actions to eliminate dangers associated with the Futenma base without delay.

Even on November 24, the day when the accident was made public, Ospreys were flying over the area in question.

Okinawa-elected House of Councilors member Iha Yoichi visited the site where the stainless steel water bottle was found, and criticized the Japanese government for ignoring the various dangers associated with the Futenma base.

Past related article:
> US MV-22 Osprey drops panel while in flight in Okinawa [ August 18 & 20, 2021]