U.S. Military Plans Vehicle Storage and Maintenance Facility for NMESIS Anti-Ship Missile System at Camp Hansen; Okinawa Governor Tamaki Seeks More Information
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
Plans have come to light for a vehicle storage and maintenance facility for the U.S. military's latest NMESIS (Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System) anti-ship missile system within Camp Hansen, which spans Kin Town and other areas of Okinawa Prefecture. According to a report by the Okinawa Times, Governor Denny Tamaki told reporters only that he wants to "gather information and confirm the details."
NMESIS has previously been deployed to Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture during the joint Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. Marine Corps exercise "Resolute Dragon 25," at which time Governor Tamaki also criticized the deployment, saying he wanted "the Defense Bureau to provide thorough advance explanations." The governor has long taken a stance opposing military buildup in the Southwestern Islands, including the deployment of Self-Defense Force missiles.
Current status: The specific timeline and scale of the facility's construction, and the status of consultations with local municipalities, remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.