January 5, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
At the Okinawa Prefectural Office at 6:50 p.m. on January 5, Governor Onaga expresses resentment at the Japanese government disregarding Okinawans by resuming Osprey aerial refueling training exercises following the crash accident.
On the evening of January 5, Governor Takeshi Onaga commented in an interview on the resumption of aerial refueling training exercises of MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft scheduled for the next day, following the recent crash on the shore of Abu, Nago. He says that at the same time that the Japanese government declares it is considering the feelings of Okinawans, it takes the stance of making the American military’s demands its highest priority. Additionally he insists that, “This causes great harm to the relationship of mutual trust [between Japan and Okinawa], and therefore we feel strong resentment.”
On top of this Onaga mentions that, as has been the Japanese government’s usual approach up to now, it unilaterally announced the resumption of training exercises without listening to the opinions of Okinawans. He says he is deeply dismayed this approach is being used again as the government disregards Okinawans.
Onaga stresses his intention to continue diligently pushing for the withdrawal of Osprey deployment in Okinawa. Additionally, he shares his idea to request an arrangement from the U.S. and Japanese governments that will let Okinawans be included in discussions between the U.S. military and Japanese government.
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
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Governor Onaga says Okinawans are disregarded as Osprey aerial refueling training resumes
January 5, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo翁長知事「県民不在、強い憤り」 オスプレイ空中給油再開
琉球新報 2017年1月5日 19:17
オスプレイの空中給油訓練再開に「県民不在」と憤りを示す翁長雄志知事＝５日午後６時５０分すぎ、県庁
翁長雄志知事は５日夜、名護市安部海岸で墜落した米海兵隊輸送機ＭＶ２２オスプレイの空中給油訓練が６日から再開されると防衛省が発表したことを受けて県庁で会見し「県民に寄り添うと言いながら米軍の要求を最優先する政府の姿勢は信頼関係を大きく損ねるもので、強い憤りを感じる」と政府姿勢を批判した。重ねてオスプレイの配備撤回を改めて働き掛ける意向を強調した。
その上で「従来通り検証過程で県民の声を聞くことなく、訓練再開を一方的に通告する対応が繰り返されるのは県民不在で大変遺憾」と強調し、日本政府と米軍との協議に県民が介在できる仕組みを日米両政府に求めていく考えも示した。【琉球新報電子版】
英文へ→Governor Onaga says Okinawans are disregarded as Osprey aerial refueling training resumes
英文へ→Governor Onaga says Okinawans are disregarded as Osprey aerial refueling training resumes
琉球新報 2017年1月5日 19:17
