Minister of Defense Kihara met with representatives of local governments that host U.S. military bases in Okinawa Prefecture, where he visited, and stated that reducing the burden on bases is one of the administration's most important issues, and suggested that he would move forward with the relocation of Futenma Air Base and move forward with Kadena Air Base. He expressed his intention to steadily implement a plan to return U.S. military facilities in the south.
Defense Minister Kihara, who has been visiting Okinawa Prefecture since the 16th, met with the mayors of 11 municipalities at a hotel in Naha City, including Ginowan City, Nago City, and Naha City, which have American military bases.
In this regard, Minister Kihara said, ``Reducing the burden of bases on Okinawa is one of the most important issues of the current administration. "We will make this happen as soon as possible," he said, indicating his intention to steadily implement the plan to return U.S. military facilities.
Meanwhile, Mayor Matsukawa of Ginowan City, where Futenma Air Base is located, said regarding the U.S. military's Osprey, which has been grounded following a crash off the coast of Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture, ``Flights will resume without prior explanation to the city.'' I would like to make sure this does not happen.''
In response, Minister Kihara said, ``I have heard that instructions have been issued to make sure to coordinate with the Japanese government before the Osprey is put into operation.Ensuring flight safety is the top priority for both Japan and the United States, and both countries We will work closely with the United States to respond."
Prior to this, Minister Kihara boarded a Self-Defense Forces helicopter and inspected the area off the coast of Henoko, Nago City, where the government has been carrying out construction work on behalf of the government since the 10th of last month, and confirmed the progress of the construction work.