Japan Press Weekly

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2012 June 13 - 19 TOP3 [OKINAWA]

Most recent Osprey crash increases Okinawan opposition to deployment

Yet another Osprey aircraft crash has hardened local opposition to the planned deployment of the plane to the U.S. Marine Corp Futenma Air Station in Ginowan City, Okinawa Prefecture.

On June 13, a CV-22 Osprey crashed in Florida during a training exercise and five crewmembers on board were injured. Only two months ago, the aircraft crashed in Morocco, killing four crewmembers.

Following the news report, Okinawa Governor Nakaima Hirokazu on June 14 expressed his opposition to the deployment plan by saying, “The accident rate for the aircraft is so high that I cannot accept its deployment.” The Ginowan mayor stressed that the crash confirmed his resolve to oppose its deployment to Okinawa.

Okinawan citizens held a protest rally against the deployment on the same day in front of the prefectural government office. Another rally is scheduled for June 17 in Ginowan City.