Updated:August 6, 2015

Mayor’s comment on agreement on the return of Sakibe Navy Annex (the east side of Sakibe)

August 6, 2015

Mayor’s comment on agreement on the return of Sakibe Navy Annex
(the east side of Sakibe)

  
The Japan-U.S. Joint Committee announced today that they reached agreement on the return of “Sakibe Navy Annex (hereinafter called “Sakibe”) ”, used provisionally as LCAC station by March 2013.
　
　Sasebo Municipal Office and Sasebo City Assembly have so far requested to the national government that “Sakibe” be used by JSDF. The government, based on the premise of its return, presented a use plan of “Sakibe” by JSDF in March 2014, including renovation works so that the JMSDF destroyers and other ships can moor in that area. And a necessary amount for basic research and examination was appropriated in the government budget 2015.

　It is my great pleasure as mayor of Sasebo to hear this agreement because it I think should lead to correct the shortage of mooring facilities through the JSDF’s construction of a large quay, and to contribute to realize “ideal coexistence with the U.S. Navy", one of the most important political agendas in Sasebo. And I would like to heartily appreciate those concerned including MOD, Nagasaki Prefectural Government and Sasebo City Assembly for their cooperation so far.

　On the other hands, with regards to the west side of Sakibe, where JSDF is planning to deploy amphibious vehicles followed by the newly organized Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, I hope for the early commencement of construction of Maehata-Sakibe road, which I think is absolutely necessary not only for neighborhood residents’ daily lives but also for JSDF’s full exhibition of their defense capability.

　I wish to proceed swiftly with the procedures required for the return and as head of local government holding defense facilities within the city, I will continue to cooperate with national policy as much as possible for improvement of JSDF’s facilities regarded necessary for national security reasons.

Norio Tomonaga
Mayor of Sasebo