By Mina Pollmann
Residents on Yonaguni Island voted in favor of a proposed base housing SDF troops.
Yonaguni, the only town on Yonagunijima – an island under the jurisdiction of Okinawa Prefecture – held a referendum on February 22 regarding the central government’s plan to deploy a Self-Defense Forces unit to the island. In the referendum, 60 percent of those who voted supported the deployment – pleasing both the mayor of Yonaguni and the central government.
Those who voted in support of the plan believe that Nansei Islands need stronger defenses. They also hope that the influx of troops and their family members will help revitalize the local economy. The SDF unit is expected to comprise about 150 troops for coastal observation purposes.
Yonaguni Mayor Shukichi Hokama said he was “relieved by the results” of the referendum. He added, “We would like to run our administration by collaborating with the Defense Ministry.”
Read the full story at The Diplomat