Disagreements on the deployment of the Ground Self-Defense Force in Ishigaki ...

lesley smeltzer

As early as 2016, the Ministry of Defense of Japan proposed to deploy the Land Self-Defense Force and surface-to-air and surface-to-ship missile units on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture. Once the media reported it, the local people had different opinions on this, and the differences between the parties could not be resolved.

Mayor Nakayama Yoshitaka once said: "It is necessary to make certain arrangements in the Nanxi Islands."

However, the negative effects brought about by the deployment of the Self-Defense Forces have always been a heart disease of the residents on the island.

The economy of Ishigaki Island mainly depends on growing pineapple and Ishigaki beef. The public is worried that "may become the target of attack", "the quiet living environment will be destroyed, and it will also have an adverse effect on tourism and sightseeing", etc., and oppose the deployment of land self-defense forces in the surrounding areas.

Other residents were forced to relocate from the main island of Okinawa to build a US military base after the war. Many of them were very sensitive to "military bases."

Chuanman Tetsuo, director of the Songtian Community Hall, felt that discussions at the citizen level outside the area around the planned site were not in-depth. The mayor blindly emphasized the use of force to provide security, but the public was overly worried that the Self-Defense Forces would stimulate the nerves of neighboring countries. At the same time, he believes that "to solve the problem, further discussions should be carried out."