Japan Press Weekly

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2023 July 19 - 25 [SDF]

JCP Nihi demands cancellation of Japan-France joint military drills

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Nihi Sohei visited the Defense Ministry's Kyushu Defense Bureau on July 24, demanding that the plan to conduct Japan-France joint military exercises be cancelled.

The planned joint drills will take place between July 26 and July 29 at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Nyutabaru Base located in Shintomi-Town in Miyazaki Prefecture. About 120 French military personnel will participate in the training exercises. Two fighter jets, one midair refueling aircraft, and one transport aircraft from France have already arrived at the ASDF base.

Nihi said that the central government should explain in detail about the planned joint military exercises to local municipalities and residents. Accompanying Nihi, representatives of the JCP Miyazaki Prefectural Committee and the JCP Miyazaki Prefectural Assemblypersons' Group said, "No concrete explanation regarding the joint military exercises has been given to local assemblies. Residents only learned of the plan from media coverage."