Overview

• The Ground Self-Defense Force held an opening ceremony on September 7 at the new Saga garrison, where Defense Minister Minoru Nakatani told troops the move strengthens rapid deployment for the southwest.
• All 17 V‑22 Ospreys were transferred from Kisarazu by August 12, completing the relocation to a facility opened in July that hosts about 420 personnel and uses the adjacent Saga Airport runway.
• Nakatani took an experience flight on a JGSDF Osprey after the ceremony and emphasized the aircraft’s safety and utility, including for disaster response.
• Training that began in July has expanded with increased flights to JGSDF sites across Kyushu, and the fleet is scheduled to join Japan–U.S. joint exercises for the first time from September 11.
• Saga Governor Yoshinori Yamaguchi called for rigorous safety measures and thorough information sharing with residents, while about 40 people protested outside the garrison.