Recent poll shows 72% of Okinawans deem Osprey “dangerous” as 68% suggest withdrawal
September 28, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
On September 23 and 24, the Ryukyu Shimpo conducted a public opinion poll among residents of Okinawa 18-years-old and above.
The poll was in relation to the deployment of MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft at Futenma Air Station, which have been deployed there for five years as of October 1.
Out of the poll respondents, 68.7 percent answered that Osprey deployment on Okinawa “should cease,” while 11.3 percent thought that Osprey “deployment is necessary.
” As for the safety of these aircraft, 72.7 percent of respondents said, “I think they are dangerous.”
When respondents were asked about the Japanese government’s handling of the August Osprey crash off the coast of Australia, wherein the government requested that flying these aircraft be refrained from for a short period but accepted flight resumption soon after, 80 percent stated that they “do not approve” of it.
This poll has once again thrown into relief the anxieties and concerns that many Okinawans have been bearing over the course of these five years of MV-22 Osprey deployment.
These poll results demonstrate Okinawans’ position against relocation of Futenma Air Station within Okinawa, with 80 percent in opposition.
read more
September 28, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
On September 23 and 24, the Ryukyu Shimpo conducted a public opinion poll among residents of Okinawa 18-years-old and above.
The poll was in relation to the deployment of MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft at Futenma Air Station, which have been deployed there for five years as of October 1.
Out of the poll respondents, 68.7 percent answered that Osprey deployment on Okinawa “should cease,” while 11.3 percent thought that Osprey “deployment is necessary.
” As for the safety of these aircraft, 72.7 percent of respondents said, “I think they are dangerous.”
When respondents were asked about the Japanese government’s handling of the August Osprey crash off the coast of Australia, wherein the government requested that flying these aircraft be refrained from for a short period but accepted flight resumption soon after, 80 percent stated that they “do not approve” of it.
This poll has once again thrown into relief the anxieties and concerns that many Okinawans have been bearing over the course of these five years of MV-22 Osprey deployment.
These poll results demonstrate Okinawans’ position against relocation of Futenma Air Station within Okinawa, with 80 percent in opposition.
read more