The Japanese army has begun deploying its fleet of V-22 Ospreys on a newly opened permanent base in the southwest, the latest move to strengthen its defense as tensions in the region grow. The military buildup is meant as a deterrence to China’s increasingly assertive maritime actions in the area. The use of the V-22 remains controversial in Japan due to a series of accidents involving the aircraft. Dozens of protesters stood outside the camp where they will be based, chanting, “Get out Osprey!” But Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Ospreys are significantly superior to conventional helicopters.
