U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Stephen Liszewski, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Okinawa, Japan, invited Mayor Hajime Nakama of Kin Town, Vice Mayor Akira Nakamatsu of Chatan Town, Mayor Masanori Matsugawa of Ginowan City, Vice Mayor Chiemi Oshiro of Urasoe City, and commanders of Camps Hansen, Foster, and Kinser to a signing ceremony at Camp Foster for the Local Implementation Agreement (LIA) on Nov. 7.

Liszewski said, "With the signing of the Local Implementation Agreement, we'll strengthen the Marine Corps' partnership with our host communities." He said the LIA allows residents in Kin, Chatan, Ginowan, and Urasoe access to respective camps in an event of natural disaster. "The historic Mar. 11, 2011, 9.0 magnitude earthquake, and resulting tsunami, forever changed how we view our installations and our presence in Japan," the general continued. He said the U.S. military installations are platforms for humanitarian assistance, and the Marine Corps will respond immediately in an event of natural disaster.

Nakama said, "There are residential areas and welfare facilities in the coastal area of our town located on lower ground. In order to protect the lives of our residents, it is essential to secure evacuation routes and shelters on higher ground."

In October, Kin Town and Camp Hansen held a joint evacuation drill as part of Exercise Constant Vigilance. Nakama said the drill enhanced residents' awareness of disaster prevention and risk management, and became a great opportunity to deepen relationships with Camp Hansen. 

Nakamatsu said, "As our town is located on the west coast of the island, a maximum six-meter high tsunami is estimated within 35 minutes. Therefore, smooth and immediate evacuation to higher ground is necessary in an event of a tsunami." He said accessing Camp Foster allows residents to get to higher ground, significantly shortening the time necessary to evacuate, which can be critically important to protect residents' lives.

He also explained that implementing joint evacuation drills with Camp Foster has enhanced residents' awareness and knowledge of safe and immediate evacuation routes on base. He expressed his appreciation to MCIPAC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Okinawa Defense Bureau for their cooperation.

"The conclusion of the agreement is beneficial not only for residents in Ginowan City but for people in Okinawa Prefecture as it'll save many peoples' lives in natural disasters," said Matsugawa. He also showed his willingness to work together in the evacuation drills with Chatan Town in accordance with the agreement. To further strengthen disaster prevention in the city, the mayor called for cooperation with relevant organizations.

Oshiro remarked, "The agreement was first concluded on Sept. 1 in 2017. Given damages the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami brought, the agreement was made and allowed residents to evacuate to higher ground, which became great tsunami evacuation measures for residents in Irijima and Minatogawa-Sakihara district." Oshiro expressed her gratitude to Maj. Gen. Liszewski, Col. Burke, and the Okinawa Defense Bureau for their contribution.

After the greeting and following speeches by municipality leaders, the signing ceremony was carried out and the leaders of both sides put their signature on the agreement.