Aegis Asshore deployment suspended “Apologies to residents” Akita Prefecture Governor June 16 12:10
Regarding the new interceptor missile system, Aegis Ashore, Governor Satake of Akita Prefecture interviewed a reporter on the morning of 16th, after Defense Minister Kono announced on the 15th that the deployment plan to Akita Prefecture and Yamaguchi Prefecture was announced. In response, he said, "I felt that the plan had been withdrawn. I would like the residents to apologize if the minister comes to Akita."
In this, Governor Satake touched on the phone from Defense Minister Kono on the 15th and said, "I thought it was a consultation about a site visit at the Ground Self-Defense Force Shinya Exercise Area in Akita City, which was a candidate site for deployment, so It was an unexpected story: I asked if the plan was to freeze or cancel it, but the minister answered, "After considering it at the National Security Council." I am feeling that it is a blank slate of the plan," he said.
Also, regarding the deployment of the defense minister Kono to a training field in Yamaguchi prefecture, in order to make sure that a propulsion assisting device called a "booster" used when launching an intercepting missile is dropped into the training field, it is not enough to modify the software. Regarding what he found to be sufficient, he said, "At the Shinya practice ground, the booster was supposed to fall into the sea, but Defense Minister Kono said, "If you have a question about the booster, neither Yamaguchi nor Akita can explain it." While there are residents and governments in Akita who are opposed to it, it would not be common sense to do things in Akita even though Yamaguchi cannot do it."
On that basis, Minister of Defense Kono indicated that he was going to abalone as soon as possible, ``Governor Satake said, ``For the past year and a half, the prefecture and Akita city have used considerable energy, but the residents of the new building are worried, It was a pain in my life. When the minister comes, I want the residents to apologize, not me or the mayor."
Mayor Akita “The attitude of the Ministry of Defense is not allowed”
Mayor Hozumi of Akita City, which has the Ground Self-Defense Force Shinya Exercise Area, which is a candidate site for deployment, said in response to an interview on the morning of 16th, ``The attitude of the Ministry of Defense, which has been said to be safe and secure so far, is acceptable. Not."
Among them, Mayor Hozumi said, "I am confused by the statement that I suddenly present the plan and then suddenly stop the plan, and the stupidity of the Ministry of Defense's explanation is overwhelming. This time, the booster is properly managed. That is not possible, but the attitude of the Ministry of Defense, which has been saying that it is safe and secure and that there is no hindrance, is unacceptable."
On top of that, he said, "I don't really understand what "stopping the process" means, but I myself see it as "withdrawing a blank sheet of paper," so I would like to ask Mr. Kono to give that word clearly."
Opposite local residents "can't be relieved"
Chairman Masashi Sasaki of the "Shinya Kappei District Promotion Association" made by local residents who opposed the plan to deploy the new interception missile system, Aegis Ashore, in the Shinya district of Akita city, responded to the interview on the 16th. Are worried that will emerge.”
Mr. Sasaki said, "It is a heavy word to say that the Minister of Defense has stopped, but I am very disappointed why I did not replace it with the word that I stopped. I was worried that this problem might emerge. I have no sense of security."
Regarding the technical problem of a propulsion assisting device called "booster" used by Minister Kono to launch interceptor missiles for the reason of suspension, "It is safe because the booster falls in the Sea of Japan in the Shinya area. "I wonder if there is the same risk not only at Yamaguchi but also at home. I wonder why we should announce at this time."
In addition, Chairman Sasaki said that Minister of Defense Kono expressed his intention to visit Akita Prefecture. "I would like to meet directly if I have the opportunity. After seeing the Shinya district with the eyes of the minister, it was clearly impossible here" I'm sorry, I want to hear the words."