On the 7th, the prefectural assembly unanimously passed a written opinion requesting the government to withdraw the plan regarding the Ministry of Defense's plan to develop a Ground Self-Defense Force training range on the site of a former golf course in Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture.
The Ministry of Defense plans to acquire the site of a former golf course in Ishikawa, Uruma City, and develop a new training ground, as training will increase with the reorganization of the Ground Self-Defense Force's 15th Brigade into a division.
In response, there has been a series of protests from local residents, with Governor Tamaki of Okinawa Prefecture and Mayor Nakamura of Uruma City expressing the idea that the acquisition of the land itself should be abandoned.
Against this backdrop, on the 7th, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly unanimously passed a written opinion requesting Prime Minister Kishida, Defense Minister Kihara, and others to withdraw the plan.
The opinion piece points out that ``Prefectural residents cannot hide their dismay at the plan, which was announced without the knowledge of local residents, neighborhood associations, the city, and the prefecture.''
The proposed site is located in a quiet residential area, and is adjacent to a nature experience learning facility that is visited by 40,000 children and students annually. There is a risk that securing a place for children to study may be hindered.From the perspective of improving the welfare of prefectural residents and protecting lives and property, we strongly request that the bill be withdrawn as soon as possible."
The prefectural assembly is planning to proceed with coordination in the direction of having members make requests directly to relevant ministers.