On the 13th, General Hiroaki Uchikura, the Chief of Staff of Japan's Self-Defense Forces, addressed concerns from local communities regarding the deployment of long-range missiles scheduled at the end of the month. He asserted that the effectiveness of deterrence and response capabilities significantly surpasses the local anxieties expressed by residents. The Self-Defense Forces will be deploying these missiles to the Ground Self-Defense Force camps in Kumamoto and Shizuoka Prefectures, which has raised safety concerns among nearby residents about becoming targets in a conflict.

The backdrop of these concerns includes ongoing tensions in the Middle East, particularly regarding missile threats from Iran and the situation in the Persian Gulf. Locals, especially those near the Kumamoto base, worry that the installation of these missiles could make their homes potential targets in the event of a military confrontation. Despite these fears, the Japanese Ministry of Defense has yet to hold any explanatory meetings with local residents to discuss the implications of the missile deployment.

General Uchikura acknowledged the residents' anxieties, but emphasized a commitment to continue informing and engaging the local communities to alleviate concerns. His statements reflect an ongoing debate in Japan regarding the balance between national defense strategies and the safety of its citizens amid regional security challenges.