Expert discovers JSDF training materials that claim missiles to be stored near residential areas in Miyakojima and Ishigaki have “2 minutes until explosion” in the event of a fire, making evacuation for residents almost impossible

Expert discovers JSDF training materials that claim missiles to be stored near residential areas in Miyakojima and Ishigaki have “2 minutes until explosion” in the event of a fire, making evacuation for residents almost impossible

The Hora district in Gusukube, Miyakojima, the proposed site of the JSDF ammunition depot. January 23, 2018 (Photograph taken by drone)


June 4, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Manato Akira

It was learned on June 2 that in a Japanese Self Defense Force (JSDF) training materials, there is a section that says that when a surface-to-ship guided missile is surrounded by flames, the time it takes for it to explode is about two minutes, and it is advised to take measures such as moving outside of a one kilometer perimeter or otherwise take shelter. Military commentator Makoto Konishi expressed concerns about such missiles which are stored in Miyakojima and Ishigaki, saying, “While certainly during an emergency, even in times of peace the possibility of a fire cannot be avoided. How will residents be able to evacuate outside the kilometer perimeter in only two minutes?” Since these ammunition depots contain missile with devastating destructive capability, they are generally located inside a mountain, and Konishi indicates, “The fact that these ammunition depots are placed close to where people live is in itself strange.”

The training materials were obtained by Konishi via a right-to-know request.
In the training material, it says that when there is fire surrounding the missiles, “Once the warhead is engulfed in flames, there are two minutes until it ignites, possibly causing an explosive reaction… evacuate to a distance of one kilometer, or take cover in a shelter.”

Konishi acquired a textbook from the JSDF weapons school entitled Artillery Shells, Rockets, and Guided Missiles, as well as related materials, a total of 647 pages. The material explains in detail the structure, functions, and specific handling instructions for each type of ordinance.
At the end of March this year, a plan was concocted to deploy a missile corps to the Miyakojima Garrison starting in 2020, in addition to the 380 soldiers already stationed there. Along with this, if the Ministry of Defense’s plan to construct an ammunition depot in the Hora district of Miyakojima is completed, they plan to store surface-to-ship and surface-to-air missiles as well.

Near the proposed construction site for the ammunition depot, there are houses and roads, meaning the missiles would be alongside residents as they go about their daily lives.

On Ishigaki Island, the plan is to deploy a missile corps of around 500-600 soldiers. Here, there is a plan to store guided missiles in the ammunition depot at the garrison as well, and construction on the garrison began in March. Near the garrison is the village of Kainan.

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

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