Kadena Town protests U.S. missile storage plan at Kadena Air Base

Kadena Town officials have formally protested a plan by the United States military to store long-range missile systems at Kadena Air Base. The town filed its protest with the Okinawa Defense Bureau, citing an increased burden on the local community.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the U.S. military intends to move the Typhon long-range missile system and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from Kagoshima Prefecture to Kadena Air Base by mid-October.

Kadena Town Mayor Hiroshi Toyama expressed strong distrust toward the Japanese and U.S. governments, noting that the storage duration has not been disclosed. While the Okinawa Defense Bureau stated the move would strengthen deterrence and minimize local impact, officials declined to specify the exact location or duration of the storage.