Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012

Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka came under fresh fire Tuesday for recent remarks that critics say made light of the risks of U.S. helicopters flying over the contentious Futenma base in Okinawa.

Tanaka clarified to reporters that he is aware of the dangers and noise concerns of helicopters near the base, which is located in a crowded part of the city of Ginowan.

He previously drew fire for suggesting work on relocating the base within the prefecture may start by year's end, a comment he later retracted.

The latest controversy stems from comments by Tanaka Monday morning when he viewed the Futenma base from a hill. He asked Ro Manabe, chief of the Defense Ministry's Okinawa Bureau, about the frequency of helicopters flying over an elementary school adjacent to the base, saying "there are not so many (helicopters), are there?"

His comment, suggesting there were fewer choppers than he had expected flying over the base area, sparked protests from local residents who said he doesn't know the real situation.

Opposition lawmakers were quick to criticize Tanaka for the comments, saying they will grill him during Diet sessions about his fitness to be defense minister, as well as Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda over his responsibility in appointing him in his Jan. 13 Cabinet reshuffle.

Tanaka told reporters he inspected the Futenma base during his Okinawa visit and that "we must improve the environment of schools."

He expressed hope that his "true intentions" will be understood, adding he visited an elementary school adjacent to the base two years ago and is aware of the risks and noise problems there.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura, in a separate news conference, defended Tanaka, saying the defense chief was simply confirming the situation of helicopters flying over Futenma at the time of his conversation with the bureau chief.

Fujimura said Tanaka's remarks "do not underestimate the dangers" of helicopters flying over the schools.

Nobuteru Ishihara, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, said Tanaka's comment was that of an "amateur" and hurtful to the people of Okinawa.

Ichikawa reposted

The ruling Democratic Party of Japan on Tuesday named censured former Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa as secretary general of the party's Upper House caucus to succeed Toshio Ogawa, who was appointed justice minister in the Cabinet reshuffle earlier this month.

The appointment is likely to draw criticism from opposition parties because Ichikawa was censured in December by the opposition-controlled Upper House after he described himself as an "amateur" regarding national security issues. He was replaced as defense chief when Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda reshuffled the Cabinet on Jan. 13.

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