September 10, 2026

The national government, without providing an explanation to the relevant local governments, is considering Yamagata Airport (Higashine City), Shonai Airport (Sakata Tsuruoka cities), and Sakata Port (Sakata City) in Yamagata Prefecture as candidates for “facilities for specific uses” that the Self-Defense Forces can use for military purposes even in peacetime.

The Japanese Communist Party is encouraging the prefectural government to reject the designation of these facilities for specific military use.

At a meeting of the Tsuruoka City Assembly on September 7, JCP assemblyperson Hasegawa Tsuyoshi addressed the potential harm that local residents would endure, such as from noise pollution caused by SDF flight training exercises. He argued, “If Shonai Airport is designated as a ‘specific use airport,’ it will be more likely to become a target of attack. Tsuruoka City should demand that the prefectural government reject the designation.”

At a Higashine City Assembly session on the same day, JCP assemblymember Uematsu Hiroshi asked whether the national government’s request for Yamagata Airport’s designation as a “specific use airport” carries any binding force. City officials responded that they cannot make a determination because the national government has not provided an explanation.

In other affected cities in Yamagata, JCP assemblymembers urged their mayors not to consent to the designation.

Past related article:
> JCP opposes improvement of airports and harbors for military purposes [January 30, 2024]