August 19 & 22, 2026

An SDF aircraft, believed to be an F-15 fighter jet, made an emergency landing on August 18 on a runway at Naha Airport. The main landing gear was damaged during the landing, leaving the aircraft immobilized on the runway.

Several fire trucks, SDF vehicles, and ambulances rushed to the scene. Because the affected runway was closed, commercial aircraft were forced to take off and land using the sole remaining runway.

On August 21, the Okinawa Prefectural Committee of the Japanese Communist Party, along with its prefectural and Naha City assemblypersons, lodged a strong protest with the Okinawa Defense Bureau. They demanded that Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro convert the airport from the current dual military-civilian use to civilian use only as soon as possible.

A Defense Bureau official apologized for the inconvenience caused to passengers on civilian flights as the runway was closed for four hours due to the accident, resulting in flight delays and cancellations. However, regarding the conversion to civilian-only use, the official stated, “We are not considering it.”

When Akamine Seiken, chair of the JCP Okinawa Prefectural Committee, asked if F-15s resumed operations, the official refused to answer, stating, “I cannot comment for operational reasons.” Akamine responded, “It’s unbelievable that you don’t even inform nearby residents whether operations have resumed.”

The SDF aircraft is believed to have been carrying missiles. Regarding this, Higa Mizuki, a JCP member of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly, pointed out that there could have been caused an explosion, causing anxiety among nearby residents.

Furugen Shigeharu, a JCP member of the Naha City Assembly, said, “The assembly has adopted more than ten resolutions calling for the airport to be used exclusively for civilian purposes every time an accident occurs. The national government should heed our demand.”