January 27, 2018
Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on January 26 condemned a state minister’s abusive remark as totally unacceptable. The state minister on the previous day at a Diet meeting heckled JCP Chair Shii Kazuo who were grilling the government about the frequent U.S. military aircraft accidents in Okinawa by saying, “How many people were killed in those accidents?”
State Minister of Cabinet Office Matsumoto Fumiaki, announced his resignation from his post on January 26.
Koike stressed that Okinawans are in great fear for their safety because of the frequent accidents by U.S. military aircraft. He went on to say, “Former Minister of State for Okinawa Affairs Matsumoto made a jeer implying that a U.S. military-related accident should be tolerated as long as no one is killed, which angered Okinawans even further. This is a serious problem.”
Koike also said that in response to the recent series of mishaps in Okinawa, even Prime Minister Abe Shinzo had to express his intent to ensure the safety of local people. Koike noted that Matsumoto’s remark goes against what Abe proclaimed.
State Minister of Cabinet Office Matsumoto Fumiaki, announced his resignation from his post on January 26.
Koike stressed that Okinawans are in great fear for their safety because of the frequent accidents by U.S. military aircraft. He went on to say, “Former Minister of State for Okinawa Affairs Matsumoto made a jeer implying that a U.S. military-related accident should be tolerated as long as no one is killed, which angered Okinawans even further. This is a serious problem.”
Koike also said that in response to the recent series of mishaps in Okinawa, even Prime Minister Abe Shinzo had to express his intent to ensure the safety of local people. Koike noted that Matsumoto’s remark goes against what Abe proclaimed.
