Iwakuni Mayor Approves Deployment of Osprey Transport Aircraft at US Military Base
IWAKUNI, JAPAN – The mayor of Iwakuni City,Yoshihiko Fukuda, has announced his approval for the deployment of the US Navy’s Osprey transport aircraft at the US Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni inYamaguchi Prefecture. This marks the first time the aircraft will be stationed in Japan.
The US military is planning to upgrade the aircraft fleet at the Iwakuni base as part of its efforts to enhance deterrence in the region. The deployment of the CMV22 Osprey and the F-35C stealth fighter, the Navy’s most advanced fighter jet, is scheduled for the latter half ofthis year.
During a plenary session of the city council on August 27, Mayor Fukuda stated, After thorough verification, we have confirmed that this deployment will not significantly impact the living environment of residents around the base.Maintaining an appropriate defense force and deterrence is crucial for fulfilling the nation’s fundamental responsibility to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
The deployment plan for the CMV22 Osprey and other aircraft was previously submitted to the Ministry of Defense by the Yamaguchi Prefectural Government and the Iwakuni City Government. OnAugust 20, the Ministry responded with an assessment of past accidents involving the aircraft, confirming that no incidents classified as the most serious A-class accidents have occurred.
The Osprey, a tiltrotor aircraft, has been the subject of controversy due to its history of accidents. In 2012, a US Marine Corps Osprey crashed in Afghanistan, killing all four crew members on board. In 2017, another Osprey crashed in Okinawa, Japan, injuring five US Marines.
Despite these concerns, the Japanese government has maintained that the Osprey is a valuable asset for the US military and that itsdeployment in Japan will enhance security in the region. The government has also stated that it will continue to monitor the safety of the aircraft and work with the US military to minimize any potential risks to local residents.
The deployment of the Osprey at Iwakuni is part of a broader effort by the US military to strengthen itspresence in the Asia-Pacific region. This includes the deployment of the F-35C stealth fighter, which is designed to operate from aircraft carriers.
The deployment of these advanced aircraft has raised concerns among some local residents, who fear that the increased military activity could lead to noise pollution, environmental damage, anda higher risk of accidents. However, the Japanese government has assured the public that it will take all necessary measures to mitigate these risks.
The deployment of the Osprey at Iwakuni is a significant development in the US-Japan security alliance. It underscores the importance of the alliance in maintaining peace and stability in the region, but also highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing security concerns with the needs of local communities.
【source】https://nwapi.nhk.jp/nhkworld/rdnewsweb/v6b/zh/detail/k10014560601000.json
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