At their first meeting Governor Tamaki tells Okinawa Area Coordinator, “We are past our breaking point”

At their first meeting Governor Tamaki tells Okinawa Area Coordinator, “We are past our breaking point”

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki (right) meeting with Okinawa Area Coordinator Lt. Gen. Eric Smith (left). January 23, Okinawa Prefectural Office in Naha.


 

January 24, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki held his first meeting with the U.S. military’s top commander in Okinawa, Okinawa Area Coordinator Lieutenant General Eric Smith.

At the meeting, the governor told the OAC that regarding the over-burdening of U.S. bases on the island,

“We have already since passed our breaking point.”

Tamaki also protested about repeated incidents involving U.S. military aircraft such as the part dropped form a U.S. helicopter onto the grounds of Futenma Dai-ni Elementary school, were, “trapping many Okinawan residents in a state of fear,” and demanded that a notification system be established in the case of an incident or accident involving the U.S. military.

 

Lt. Gen. Smith commented, “For the sake of the alliance, we are making preparations for the security of Japan, and will continue to offer safety to its people, including Okinawans,” and added, “We want to make safety concerns of Okinawa our highest priority.”

 

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

 

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