Equipment for PAC-3 missiles arrive at U.S. Kadena base

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Equipment for PAC-3 missiles arrive at U.S. Kadena base

The U.S. forces on October 2 delivered equipment for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptor-missile system from the Naha military port to the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa.

This is the first deployment of such ballistic missile interceptors to Japan.

Tomon Mitsuko, the mayor of Okinawa City which hosts the Kadena base, visited the Naha Defense Facilities Administration Bureau, the Foreign Ministry Okinawa Office, and the U.S. Consulate General in Okinawa on the same day to file a strong protest against the deployment.

Tomon criticized the Japanese and U.S. governments for prioritizing military policy over local demands, saying, "I feel indignation with the governments for forcibly conducting the deployment while refusing to respond to the request for the information and explanation that our city has repeatedly asked for since the conclusion of the agreement on the U.S. military realignment in May."

She said, "The PAC-3 deployment will strengthen the base functions and force residents to face further anxieties and burdens. It is deplorable that the deployment is proceeding."
- Akahata, October 3, 2006