On the morning of the 19th, a patrol boat berthed at a port on Irabu Island, Okinawa Prefecture, was inspecting the onboard cannon, and at least eight live ammunition were fired toward the land side.
Since no damage to injured people or surrounding facilities has been confirmed, the cause is being investigated by the Miyakojima Coast Guard Office.
According to the Miyakojima Maritime Security Department, at around 11:10 am on the 19th, the patrol boat "Shimoji" berthed at Nagayama Port on Irabu Island inspected the 20 mm cannon mounted near the bow before training. At the same time, at least eight live ammunition was accidentally fired toward the land side.
Beyond the cannon, there is a bush with a depth of about 80 meters, and beyond that there are prefectural roads and fields.
After accidentally firing, the police, fire department, and Miyakojima City were contacted, and coast guard officers and police officers confirmed the surrounding area, but so far, injuries and damage to surrounding facilities have been confirmed. It means that there is no such thing.
The Japan Coast Guard continues to search for the fired live ammunition and is investigating the cause by listening to the coast guard officer who was inspecting it.
Takuya Fukumoto, director of the Miyakojima Coast Guard Office, commented, "We deeply apologize for causing anxiety to the citizens. We will do our utmost to proceed with the investigation."
The patrol boat "Shimoji" was deployed to the Miyakojima Coast Guard Office six years ago in 2016 to crack down on illegal operations by foreign fishing boats in the waters around the Senkaku Islands.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno "Very regrettable fact-related investigation and investigation of the cause"
At a press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno said, "The Japan Coast Guard has reported the accident to related organizations and is investigating the damage situation, but so far no human damage or physical damage to private facilities has occurred. I have heard that it has not been confirmed. It is very regrettable that such an accident occurred, and I am aware that the Japan Coast Guard will carry out a thorough investigation of the facts and investigation of the cause in the future. " I did.