Minister of Defense Hamada visited the Ground Self-Defense Force garrison established on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture and expressed his intention to take all possible measures to ensure vigilance and surveillance, bearing in mind China's increasing activities around the Senkaku Islands and elsewhere.
The Ground Self-Defense Force's Ishigaki Garrison, which was established on March 16 to strengthen the defense of the Nansei Islands, has about 570 members and is equipped with anti-ship missiles and anti-aircraft missiles.
A ceremony was held at the site on June 2 to commemorate the opening, and Minister of Defense Hamada said, "The flawless defense system of the Nansei Islands, including Ishigaki Island, rests on the shoulders of the SDF."
The establishment of the Ishigaki garrison follows the deployment of troops to Yonaguni Island and Miyako Island, and the deployment of troops planned by the Ministry of Defense in the Nansei Islands has now been completed.
Speaking to reporters, Minister Hamada stated that "the deployment of troops to the southwest region shows Japan's will not tolerate unilateral changes to the status quo by force and enhances deterrence and response capabilities," bearing in mind China's increasing activities around the Senkaku Islands and other areas and increasing pressure on Taiwan.
On the other hand, when asked whether he would deploy missiles that could be used as a "counterattack capability" at the Ishigaki garrison, he simply stated, "The specific deployment destination has not been decided, and we are not at the stage of answering."
At the commemorative ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Yuichiro Inoue, commander of the Ishigaki Garrison, stated, "We will continue to make efforts to strengthen relations and bonds with the islanders in the region, and firmly fulfill our role as a deterrent to protect the islands and their people."
Local officials were also invited to the ceremony, and the newly deployed surface-to-ship missile launchers were on display.
"Diplomacy to avoid war" Citizens' protests
There is widespread concern among the island's residents that the established garrison will be equipped with "stand-off missiles" that can be used as a "counterattack capability" in the future.
While a ceremony was held to commemorate the opening of the Ishigaki garrison, about 30 people, including citizens opposed to the deployment of the Self-Defense Forces, gathered outside the garrison to protest.
Those who gathered held banners and placards that read "We don't need missile bases" and "Diplomacy to avoid war without turning Ishigaki Island into a battlefield" to express their opposition.
Then, two co-representatives of citizens' groups handed over a letter of protest addressed to the Ishigaki garrison's boss decree to the garrison official.
Tadashi Hateruma, co-chair of the Citizens' Liaison Committee Against the Construction of Military Bases on Ishigaki Island, said, "It is regrettable that more than three years have passed since construction began, and the garrison was opened even though it has not yet been completed.
A woman in her 2s said, "I moved to Ishigaki Island 3 years ago because I love nature, but I can't believe that something like a military base would be built in the middle of this island.