Recent poll shows 72% of Okinawans deem Osprey “dangerous” as 68% suggest withdrawal

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.

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War remains recovery volunteer touts importance of keeping Battle of Okinawa lessons alive

War remains recovery volunteer touts importance of keeping Battle of Okinawa lessons alive
September 25, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo


　　　Takamatsu Gushiken explaining remains recovery while showing photographs at Asato Catholic Church on September 24.

On September 24, representative Takamatsu Gushiken of the Gamafuya, a volunteer group dedicated to the recovery of Battle of Okinawa remains, held a lecture at Asato Catholic Church in Asato, Naha City. About 60 people attended the lecture, during which Gushiken explained that remains recovery is significant because it can teach people about the succession of the Battle of Okinawa.

He said: “When children see the bones with their own eyes, they can feel the reality that this was a battle site.

It makes them question, ‘Why did these people have to be killed?’”



Back in 2009, he displayed some photographs of remains recovery in Makabi, Naha City, while explaining that, “human bones fell apart as they were brought out [of the ground].

” He said he felt the true ferocity of the battle from studying the damaged remains of the Japanese and American soldiers.

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