Kitadaito village council unanimously votes to invite JSDF to station on their island

Kitadaito village council unanimously votes to invite JSDF to station on their island

The village council of Kitadaito unanimously passed a written opinion inviting the JSDF to their island – December 9, 11:23 a.m. at Kitadaito Village Council Hall.


December 9, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Kitadaito – The Kitadaito town council (Masami Uema, chairman) deliberated a “written opinion on inviting the Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF)” to the island, and unanimously adopted the document at their December 9 regular session.

 

The written opinion argued that Kitadaito was a suitable place for the JSDF from a geographic viewpoint for national security, and they could strengthen the capabilities for disaster response for things like typhoons, as well as emergency transport to Okinawa’s main island. Additionally, they asked the government to make proactive use of the village in Japan’s next five-year national security plan.

 

The written opinion was addressed to the Minister of Defense (MoD), the head of the Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB), and the MoD director of local and regional cooperation.

The invitation comes with support from village residents, but some in the village government and village council have asked for further explanation.

 

Kitadaito is located around 360 kilometers east of Okinawa’s main island, and as of November of 2021 has a population of 561. The neighboring Okidaitojima is uninhabited, and is used by the US military for aerial target practice.

 

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

 

 

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