Naha, Okinawa Pref., June 9 (Jiji Press)—Ginowan Mayor Takeshi Asato
on Thursday expressed opposition to the planned deployment of MV-22
Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft at the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma base in the
city in Okinawa Prefecture.
In talks with Susumu Matayoshi, head of the Okinawa governor’s
office, Asato sought the prefecture’s support in conveying to the
Japanese government Ginowan’s opposition to the deployment, which is
planned by the U.S. Defense Department for the second half of 2012.
Matayoshi said, "The U.S. military says that the Ospreys are safe but
has not indicated exactly what aspects of the aircraft are safe. The
governor will meet the defense minister in person to convey the voices
of Okinawa people."
After the talks, Asato told reporters that the citizens of Ginowan
cannot tolerate Ospreys posing increased danger to their lives through
drills over the residential neighborhood.
The mayor and city assembly members of Ginowan plan to conduct a
sit-down strike Monday as a protest against the deployment plan.