更新日：2012年9月3日

Resolution(2011 Fifth Session) July 14,2011

Adoption Date	Subject	Addressed to:
July 14,2011 Fifth Session	Resolution of Protest AGAINST THE PLAN TO DEPLOY MV-22 OSPREYS AT FUTENMA AIR STATION (adopted unanimously)	U.S. Ambassador to Japan Commander U.S. Forces Japan Okinawa Area Coordinator OAFO, U.S. Forces Japan U.S. Consul General,Okinawa

Resolution of Protest
AGAINST THE PLAN TO DEPLOY MV-22 OSPREYS AT FUTENMA AIR STATION

On June 6, 2011, the U.S. Department of Defense officially announced plans to deploy the MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to Futenma Air Station in October 2012, as the Marine Corps’ next primary transport aircraft.

Although the MV-22 Ospreys have had repeated crashes and other incidents during test flights in the developmental stages and also after deployments to real combat situations and despite the numerous casualties in these incidents, the United States has only emphasized the advantages of its deployment, such as its reduced noise and heightened safety in comparison to the CH-46. However, the maximum level of noise at the time of its takeoff and landing will exceed that of the CH-46, and it is clear that the impact of noise will increase from the current level in the areas surrounding the Air Station, where repeated takeoffs and landings are conducted by aircraft on a daily basis.

Furthermore, with the deployment of the MV-22 Ospreys to Futenma Air Station, there is a potential for increased number of flights in the vicinity of the Air Station and in the training areas in the northern regions of Okinawa Island in order for the crew to acquire proficiency and master the training manual. Such concerns and outcry over noise and environmental issues and fear over potential crashes have been expressed by the surrounding residents and those related to the elementary schools nearby.

In addition, in regard to such a critical issue as the deployment of the Ospreys which affects human lives, the Government of Japan has not only made just verbal provision of the information to the Okinawa Prefectural Government and relevant municipalities, but has not shed light on whether an assessment like those conducted in the United States will be conducted at Futenma Air Station. Moreover, the stance of the Government of Japan in placing the issue as merely a change of aircraft models to replace those already based at the Air Station is a complete disregard to the lives and rights of the citizens of the Prefecture and is absolutely unacceptable.

The unilateral approach in which both governments of Japan and the U.S. are accumulating faits accomplis through deploying the MV-22 Ospreys to MCAS Futenma, the world’s most dangerous Air Station that is fraught with deficiencies, is simply not acceptable as it goes against the strong wishes of the people of Okinawa to “eliminate the dangers at the earliest possible date.”

To that end, we, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly, in our duty to protect the lives, safety and the living environment of the citizens of Okinawa, demand the withdrawal of the plans to deploy MV-22 Ospreys to MCAS Futenma.

The above is resolved as stated on this 14^th day of July, 2011.