January 23, 2019

Japanese Communist Party delegates from Kagoshima Prefecture together with JCP Dietmembers on January 22 in the Diet building submitted to a Defense Ministry official a written request demanding cancellation of the planned transfer of field carrier landing practice (FCLP) site by U.S. carrier-based aircraft to Mageshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture.

Aiming to use the uninhabited island of Mageshima as an FCLP relocation site, the Defense Ministry recently made a provisional contract to purchase the island at the price of 16 billion yen with the island’s owner.

The JCP in its written request pointed out that the Diet has yet to hold thorough discussions on the use of 16 billion yen in taxpayers’ money for the purchase as well as the necessity of the FCLP. It also referred to the fact that heads of municipalities on islands near Mageshima, such as Yakushima Island (UNESCO World Heritage Site), voiced opposition to the relocation of U.S. military carrier training exercises. The JCP stressed that it is unacceptable for the government to buy the island in defiance of local objections, demanding the withdrawal of the deal on Mageshima Island.

In the petitioning, JCP member of the Kagoshima Prefectural Assembly Matsuzaki Makoto said, “There is widespread concern among local people that take-off and landing training drills involving U.S. military jets will pose threats to their daily lives and livelihoods. The government should not push forward with the FCLP transfer.”

Past related articles:
> Local municipalities do not want FCLP at Mageshima Island [July 3, 2011]
> Mageshima Island must not be turned into base for landing practice [June 18, 2011]