Latest news with #V-22Osprey
The Mainichi
2 days ago
- General
- The Mainichi
Why are Osprey aircraft deployed in Japan's Saga Prefecture amid local opposition?
The Mainichi Shimbun answers some common questions readers may have about Osprey transport aircraft being deployed in southwest Japan's Saga Prefecture despite local concerns and opposition. Question: I've heard that Ospreys have arrived in Saga Prefecture. What's going on? Answer: Yes, that's referring to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF)'s V-22 Osprey transport aircraft. The first unit arrived on July 9 at the newly established Camp Saga, adjacent to Kyushu-Saga International Airport in the city of Saga. The aircraft is scheduled to be stationed at the camp, where construction work is still ongoing, though its main facilities have been completed. Q: Why are they being deployed in Saga? A: The deployment is aimed at strengthening Japan's island defense capabilities, including of the Senkaku Islands in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa. In the Mid-Term Defense Program approved by the Cabinet in 2013, the central government called for the creation of the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade tasked with recapturing remote islands, and the introduction of Osprey aircraft for rapid troop deployment. The brigade's base is located at Camp Ainoura in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, about 60 kilometers from Saga. Q: How will they be operated moving forward? A: All 17 of the GSDF's Osprey aircraft were temporarily stationed at Camp Kisarazu in the eastern Japan city of Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture, but they are scheduled to be fully relocated to Saga by mid-August. Training will begin once preparations are complete. The Kyushu Defense Bureau of the Ministry of Defense has presented an "operational plan" to Saga Prefecture detailing concrete examples of training content and flight paths. However, pilots will apparently choose the most appropriate routes based on weather conditions during actual operations. The Ministry of Defense has stated that local authorities, including the Saga Municipal Government, will be notified when training begins. Q: What do residents think? A: Informational meetings were held from June 10 to 13 for local neighborhood association leaders near Camp Saga, where concerns about noise and other issues were raised. Some locals involved in the fishery opposing the deployment have filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the camp's construction. On June 21, about 620 residents gathered near the camp site for a rally opposing the Osprey deployment. The national government is urged to provide thorough explanations to residents and foster trust. (Japanese original by Akiho Narimatsu, Saga Bureau)
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Japan opens Osprey base in southwestern prefecture
Tokyo: In a significant move to defend its remote islands from the growing Chinese aggression in the region, Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) on Wednesday announced the opening up of a new base in the southwestern prefecture of Saga to host its fleet of Osprey transport aircraft, local media reported. Taking off from Camp Kisarazu in the Chiba prefecture near Tokyo, the first V-22 Osprey transport aircraft arrived at the camp in Saga Prefecture on the main island of Kyushu on Wednesday morning. The GSDF's tilt-rotor aircraft was temporarily based in Chiba from July 2020, Japan's Kyodo News reported. The new camp began with a staff of around 420 personnel. The chief mission of the V-22 unit, in the event of an emergency, is to transport equipment and personnel for the GSDF's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade. The functions of the Ospreys include their ability to take off as well as land like helicopters, but on the other hand, cruise like airplanes. According to the local media, the Japanese Marines specialise in defending remote islands, and are based in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, adjacent to Saga. A 'strategically vital' area due to its proximity to the potential geopolitical flashpoint of Taiwan, the relocation of the Ospreys reflects Tokyo's recent focus on bolstering deterrence and response capabilities in the southwestern Nansei island chain, Kyodo News reported. It added that the GSDF plans to transfer the remaining 16 Ospreys, that are temporarily stationed at Camp Kisarazu, to the new facility built west of Kyushu Saga International Airport in several waves by mid-August. The US military also deploys Ospreys in Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba highlighted the significance of the Osprey fleet presence in Saga in a campaign speech in the city Wednesday ahead of the July 20 House of Councillors election, saying, "Japan's safety and readiness for disaster relief will be much more enhanced."
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Japan opens Osprey base on Kyushu as China ramps up military presence
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The first V-22 Osprey is expected to arrive later on July 9 TOKYO - The Ground Self- Defence Force (GSDF) opened a new camp in south-western Japan on July 9 to host its fleet of Osprey transport aircraft s , part of efforts to strengthen defenses of remote islands due to fears over China's increasing military ambitions. The first V-22 Osprey is expected to arrive later on July 9 at the new Camp Saga, in the prefecture of the same name on the main island of Kyushu, transferring from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo. The GSDF's tilt-rotor aircraft have been temporarily based there since July 2020. Operations at the new camp, staffed by about 420 personnel, begin as safety concerns linger following a series of Osprey accidents in Japan and abroad, including a fatal crash two years ago. Ospreys can take off and land like helicopters but cruise like airplanes. The primary mission of the V-22 unit is to transport personnel and equipment for the GSDF's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade in the event of an emergency. Dubbed the Japanese Marines, the brigade is based in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, adjacent to Saga, and specialises in defending remote islands. The relocation of the Ospreys reflects Tokyo's recent focus on bolstering deterrence and response capabilities in the south-western Nansei island chain, a strategically vital area due to its proximity to the potential geopolitical flashpoint of Taiwan. China considers Taiwan a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. It has stepped up military pressure on the self-ruled democratic island and increased maritime assertiveness in the East and South China seas. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Why Japan and South Korea are on different paths in the latest US trade salvo World Trump says steep copper tariffs in store as he broadens his trade war Opinion Hyper-competitive classrooms feed the corporate world's narcissist pipeline Opinion Is Donald Trump unstoppable? Singapore Keep citizens at the centre of public service, Chan Chun Sing tells civil servants Business 'It's our grandfather's company, we won't sell', says Wong family as shareholders reject GE delisting bid Singapore Police officer taken to hospital after motorcycle accident on PIE Asia Ex-Malaysian PM Najib's wife Rosmah wins $30,000 in suit against TikToker The GSDF plans to transfer the remaining 16 Ospreys from Chiba to Saga in several waves by mid-August, landing the aircraft on the runway of the prefecture's main commercial airport, located next to Camp Saga. The US military also deploys Ospreys in Japan. In November 2023, one crashed off Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture in south-western Japan during a routine training flight, killing all eight crew members.
The Mainichi
09-07-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
Japan opens Osprey base on Kyushu as China ramps up military presence
This photo taken on July 9, 2025, shows the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga in Saga, southwestern Japan. (Kyodo) TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Ground Self-Defense Force on Wednesday opened a new camp in southwestern Japan to host its fleet of Osprey transport aircraft, part of efforts to strengthen defenses of remote islands due to fears over China's increasing military ambitions. The first V-22 Osprey is expected to arrive later in the day at the new Camp Saga, in the prefecture of the same name on the main island of Kyushu, transferring from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo. The GSDF's tilt-rotor aircraft have been temporarily based there since July 2020. Operations at the new camp, staffed by about 420 personnel, begin as safety concerns linger following a series of Osprey accidents in Japan and abroad, including a fatal crash two years ago. Ospreys can take off and land like helicopters but cruise like airplanes. The primary mission of the V-22 unit is to transport personnel and equipment for the GSDF's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade in the event of an emergency. Dubbed the Japanese Marines, the brigade is based in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, adjacent to Saga, and specializes in defending remote islands. The relocation of the Ospreys reflects Tokyo's recent focus on bolstering deterrence and response capabilities in the southwestern Nansei island chain, a strategically vital area due to its proximity to the potential geopolitical flashpoint of Taiwan. China considers Taiwan a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. It has stepped up military pressure on the self-ruled democratic island and increased maritime assertiveness in the East and South China seas. The GSDF plans to transfer the remaining 16 Ospreys from Chiba to Saga in several waves by mid-August, landing the aircraft on the runway of the prefecture's main commercial airport, located next to Camp Saga. The U.S. military also deploys Ospreys in Japan. In November 2023, one crashed off Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture in southwestern Japan during a routine training flight, killing all eight crew members.
Global News
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Plane spotters in Calgary hope for glimpse of Air Force 1 at G7
Airplane enthusiasts are setting up at the Calgary International Airport in hopes of seeing some exciting aircraft land for the start of the G7 leaders' summit in nearby Kananaskis, Alta. View image in full screen Several V-22 Osprey, tilt rotor aircraft are seen on the runway at Calgary International Airport after they arrived prior to the start of the G7 summit. Global News Corbin Johnson wants to catch a glimpse of the plane carrying U.S. President Donald Trump. 'Air Force 1 is certainly the gold standard, but I think myself and everyone else is very excited to see all the other aircraft are coming,' Corbin Johnson said Saturday, as he checked out a viewing area of the airport. Story continues below advertisement The spot is also one of three designated demonstration zones that police have set up in Calgary, with another in Banff. 2:09 Air restrictions over Calgary, Kananaskis for G7 Leaders' Summit Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting G7 leaders from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Italy, who were expected to arrive Sunday for the start of the three-day summit in Kananaskis, southwest of Calgary in the Rocky Mountains. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Some leaders of non-member countries, including Ukraine and India, are also set to attend. View image in full screen With world leaders arriving in Calgary for the G7 leaders' summit in Kananaskis, Alta., airplane enthusiasts, like Corbin Johnson, are setting up shop at the Calgary airport in hopes of seeing some exciting aircraft. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Graveland Johnson, a camera around his neck, said he posts all his plane photos on Instagram. Story continues below advertisement 'My love of airplanes, I would say started right here, where we're standing. My parents would take me here to plane spot and look at all the planes that would come through here,' he said. 'This is absolutely my number 1 hobby. It's something you can make as full time as you kind of want to.' While Johnson and some other plane spotters were getting the lay of the land, several police vehicles drove through the parking lot. A sign on the runway fence topped with barbed wire warns: 'No Drone Zone.' Air restrictions over the airport and Kananaskis Village went into effect Saturday morning. Police said they have received indications that protesters are expected, and the demonstrations are to be broadcast on TVs set up for the leaders in Kananaskis. RCMP Chief Supt. David Hall said he just wants the protests to be peaceful. 'We know it's important for people to have their message seen and heard by the world leaders, and it's for this reason we've established live feeds,' he said. 'We police behaviours and not beliefs. And so I'd just encourage everyone to look to conduct any demonstration activity over the next few days in a lawful, peaceful and safe manner.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 15, 2025. Story continues below advertisement
