Kono Apologizes To Yamaguchi Governor
Japanese Defense Minister Kono Taro has apologized to the governor of Yamaguchi days after the government suspended plans to deploy a new land-based missile defense system in the western prefecture.
Yamaguchi was one of two candidate prefectures to host the US-made Aegis Ashore system. The Defense Ministry says the plan was halted due to the timing and cost of drastic modifications.
Kono said: "It would be impossible to secure a vital precondition for safety to a reasonable extent. We are very sorry that we had to put the process on hold."
Yamaguchi Governor Ota Kazuhisa said the planned deployment was an issue directly affecting people living in the area.
He said it is regrettable that the government did not explain the problems sooner.
The plan had been facing local opposition in Yamaguchi, with some residents calling for it to be canceled outright.
Ota said: "Defense systems like this shouldn't be built in Yamaguchi or any other part of Japan. The government has to learn to value people's lives."
On Sunday, Kono is set to visit the northern prefecture of Akita, which was the other candidate host for the multibillion-dollar system.
