Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki has vehemently opposed the Defense Ministry's plan to establish a Self-Defense Force (SDF) training site in his prefecture. During a meeting with Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, Tamaki emphasized the lack of consent for the project and demanded its withdrawal.
Tamaki's opposition stems from the project's proximity to a residential area, raising concerns among residents about noise pollution and the risk of accidents. He criticized the government's hasty approach and the growing anxiety within the prefecture. This was the first time Tamaki had publicly expressed his opposition to the project.
Kihara's visit to Okinawa highlighted the significant differences between the central government and the prefecture's leadership. While Kihara stressed the need to bolster defense capabilities in the southwestern islands, Tamaki reiterated his call for alleviating the U.S. bases burden on the prefecture.