China News Service, March 30. According to Kyodo News, Japanese Foreign Minister Lin Fangzheng stated on the 29th local time the position of the Japanese government on the issue of U.S. aircraft training outside the U.S. military base in Japan, saying that without live ammunition, it is allowed to U.S. aircraft train outside the base.
Data map: The scene of the joint military exercise held by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Marine Corps.
According to reports, Lin Fangzheng said, "In order to achieve the purpose of the "Japan-U.S. Security Treaty", U.S. military aircraft are allowed to conduct various trainings outside (U.S. military) facilities and areas that are not accompanied by live ammunition."
In this regard, there is no relevant express provision in the Japan-US Status Agreement.
The cadre of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also pointed out that the clear regulations on off-base training: "The status agreement does not say where it can or cannot be implemented. The person also explained: "For the U.S. military, training is essential.
Based on the tenets of the status agreement, it is our understanding that training without live ammunition can also be conducted outside the area and facility.
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Earlier on the 22nd, the U.S. military carried out helicopter suspension training in Nago Bay, Okinawa Prefecture without prior notification, causing local criticism in Okinawa Prefecture.
Okinawa Prefecture asked the Japanese government to prevent the U.S. military from conducting the training again due to safety concerns.
On the 28th, the Nago City Council unanimously passed a resolution and a letter of opinion calling for a ban on training.