Kirk here with a local report (RKK) on a local issue (missiles in Kengun) that is also a national issue (was on NHK’s news last night).

https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/rkk/2515930?display=1&mwplay=1

P.S. A demonstration is planned for 9:30 tonight (Mar 8). I’ll post about that separately.

—- Claude translation —-

Long-Range Missile Deployment at Kumamoto City Base — Defense Ministry Says “Transport Could Begin as Early as the Night of March 8” — Governor and Mayor: “We Were Not Informed in Advance”

It has been learned that the Ministry of Defense intends to begin transporting long-range missiles to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Kengun Garrison in Kumamoto City as early as the night of March 8.

Regarding the long-range missiles to be deployed at Kengun Garrison, the Kyushu Defense Bureau had previously explained that they would be deployed “for the purpose of deterrence — to discourage adversaries from launching attacks.” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara had also emphasized that “long-range missiles with counter-strike capability are necessary to deter armed attacks from other countries.”

In response to the revelation of the specific transport timeline, Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura issued a statement saying: “Matters relating to national defense fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of the national government, and while deployment was scheduled to take place by the end of this fiscal year, no prior notice was given to Kumamoto Prefecture. As there are residents of the prefecture who feel anxious about the missile deployment, I intend to continue calling on the government for explanations that are clearer and more thorough than before.”

Kumamoto City Mayor Kazufumi Onishi also commented: “I have a certain degree of understanding of the national government’s decision to strengthen defense capabilities amid an increasingly challenging security environment surrounding our country. At the same time, I find it deeply regrettable that the City of Kumamoto was given no prior explanation and only learned of this through news reports. Kengun Garrison is located close to residential areas, and there is a possibility that various concerns will arise among our citizens. I intend to request that the Ministry of Defense provide careful explanations regarding the facts of the matter and its impact on the local community.”