On August 15, DPJ Next Minister of Defence Hajime Hirota issued the following comment.

The United States military based in Japan had suspended flights by HH-60 helicopters, following the crash of one of these aircraft at Camp Hansen on August 5, but has announced that flights will be resumed tomorrow.

Members of the defence subcommittee of the DPJ Policy Research Committee have just met with US Consul-General Magleby and others on August 12, and called for thorough investigation of the cause of the accident and the speedy release of information, effective prevention of the reoccurrence of similar incidents, more thorough safety management and paying the maximum possible attention to ensuring the safety of local residents when making decisions regarding the resumption of flights of the same aircraft as was involved in the accident.

The resumption of flights while information about the accident and its cause still remain unclear is hasty and shows a lack of concern for local residents.

We once again urge the United States military and the government of Japan to carry out meticulous investigation of the accident and carefully establish its cause, undertake thorough prevention of reoccurrences and safety management and engage in careful explanations and exchanges of information with central government, local authorities, and local residents.