NAHA, Okinawa — The Japanese government is committed to building a new urban warfare facility on Camp Hansen to replace a new facility being built there by the U.S. Army, a top-ranking Ministry of Foreign Affairs official on Okinawa said here Wednesday.
The move is being made to ease the fears of Okinawans who live near the site under construction on Camp Hansen’s Range 4. That facility, residents claim, is too close to the fence line.
Igei community residents have demonstrated daily in front of Camp Hansen’s main gate against the $3.8 million complex.
“We will facilitate the process [of building a new site] while working closely with the local community as well as the prefectural government,” said Yuji Miyamoto, ambassador in charge of Okinawan affairs for MOFA’s Okinawa Liaison Office, during his monthly press conference.
Japan announced last month it would build another urban training complex near Range 16, well away from any residential areas, to replace the nearly finished Army-funded facility. Training would be conducted at the Range 4 complex until the replacement facility is completed, Miyamoto said.
“The intent of the government is to reduce the fear felt by the local community,” Miyamoto said. However, he stopped short of saying the first complex would pose any danger.
“The U.S. military started the project at Range 4 after ensuring its safety,” he said.
“And that’s why Japan endorsed the original plan. We are not moving the facility because the current location is dangerous. It is because of the fear that the local community has.”
“The project is under way with the (U.S.) military budget and we believe that the facility is necessary to fulfill their requirements under the Security Treaty with Japan,” Miyamoto said. He said a project funded by Japan was “intensively discussed” with U.S. officials.
“The U.S. military showed its understanding and offered its cooperation in moving the facility to Range 16,” he said, adding that Tokyo didn’t object to use of the Range 4 facility until the replacement complex is ready.
An Army spokesman said the alternate complex would be acceptable as long as Japan picks up the tab.
“We don’t have any problem with this proposal,” said U.S. Army Japan spokeswoman Maj. Martha Brooks.
Miyamoto also fielded questions concerning the return of Marine CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Some Okinawa officials have objected to the return of the same type of helicopter that crashed on the Okinawa International University campus last August.
Three CH-53Ds arrived at MCAS Futenma on Monday from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Although a Marine spokesman wouldn’t say how many Sea Stallions are now at the base, a Ginowan city official said spotters have identified eight.
Marine Capt. Brad Gordon said the helicopters that arrived Monday are assigned to Iwakuni-based Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 and are in Okinawa to support III Marine Expeditionary Force training.
“At present, the Marine Corps has a shortage of helicopters for necessary training,” Miyamoto said during the press conference. He said that until a new offshore Marine air station is built in northeast Okinawa, the Marines must use MCAS Futenma.
