Tuesday, July 22nd, the Japanese government asked Saga Prefecture in southwestern Japan to allow the hosting of Osprey transport aircraft sometime in the future.

Senior Vice Defense Minister Ryota Takeda told Saga Prefecture Governor Yasushi Furukawa that the government would like to deploy Osprey aircraft at Saga Airport.

The government plans to purchase 17 of the military aircraft for its Ground Self-Defense Force by fiscal year 2018.

Takeda said the central government has concluded that Saga Airport is the best site for Osprey deployment.

He also requested that U.S. military-operated Osprey deployed at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture be allowed to use the airport as well.

The Osprey’s spotty safety record has fueled public concern and demonstrations, particularly in Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost prefecture.

Governor Furukawa said he is concerned that hosting the tiltrotor aircraft could hamper civil use of the facilities.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga mentioned the government would patiently work to convince Saga Prefecture that the proposal is in fact a good idea.