Japan Press Weekly

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2014 September 17 - 23 [US FORCES]

Okinawa JCP condemns US military for using inhumane bombs in training drills

Regarding an incident where U.S. Marine aircraft allegedly used inhumane weapons during training exercises over the Okinawan sea, the Japanese Communist Party Okinawa Prefectural Committee on September 19 demanded that Japan’s Okinawa Defense Bureau call on the U.S. to stop using the weapon.

Two AV-8B Harrier jets on August 31 allegedly conducted flight training exercises using the MK-77 firebombs, an improved form of napalm bombs. The production and use of napalm bombs are banned under a UN resolution.

The defense bureau in response to the JCP admitted that its official witnessed Harriers equipped with the MK-77s on the day in question, as well as in the middle of September.

However, the U.S. military refused to confirm the fact, the Japanese defense authority said.

The Okinawa Defense Bureau gave its approval to the training with the illegal weapons on the ground that it is needed to maintain the combat readiness of the U.S. air force.

JCP Okinawa Prefectural Assembly member Kayo Sogi criticized, “What is the aim of combat readiness? It is to wage wars abroad like in Iraq and Afganistan.” He added that the Okinawa Defense Bureau should urge the U.S. to stop using MK-77s in training drills.