Prime minister Kishida says Henoko relocation is “the only solution,” links position to Okinawa economic promotion in his general policy speech

Prime minister Kishida says Henoko relocation is “the only solution,” links position to Okinawa economic promotion in his general policy speech

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida


December 7, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Yosuke Anri

 

Prime minister Fumio Kishida gave a general policy speech on December 6, his first since the formation of his second cabinet. In the speech he clarified his position on proceeding with the relocation of MCAS Futenma to new base facilities in Henoko, and stated that, “We are working on building a strong Okinawan economy,” as part of foreign diplomacy and national security. As Okinawa looks toward the 50th anniversary of its reversion to Japan next year, the prime minister has made his stance clear that economic promotion in Okinawa is linked to the “base problem.”

Kishida touched on “Island Defense,” a topic the previous prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, refrained from commenting on, indicating that he intended on increasing defensive capabilities such as securing missiles that have “the capability to strike enemy bases.”

Kishida commented that the Henoko relocation was “the only solution.” His language expressed a much firmer policy in support of the base relocation compared to similar comments he made after the formation of the first cabinet in October. As part of his policies on foreign diplomacy and national security, he linked “the reduction of the base burden on Okinawa” with “working to build a strong economy in Okinawa.”

The Japanese government is working on a replacement for the Okinawa Promotion Special Measures Law, which will expire in March of next year, and the policies and budget that will go with it. The government has made it clear that the new Okinawa promotion measures would be tied to national security policy.

Against the backdrop of a continuing arms expansion in the southwestern islands, including the missile deployments to the JGSDF garrison in Miyakojima, the speech referenced island defense. He commented that they are “looking into options,” for things like “enemy base strike capabilities,” implying an acceleration to the ongoing military buildup on Japan’s outlying islands.

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

 

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