Key Facts
• On August 24, Ryusei Hezuma, a Nara City councilor, updated his X account.
• He reported visiting Kasasajima, a small island in Suo-Oshima, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
• The island has a population of 7 and a perimeter of approximately 4 kilometers.
• Reports suggest parts of the island were purchased by Chinese investors.
• Hezuma, originally from Yamaguchi, expressed concerns over national security.
• He highlighted the island’s proximity to U.S. Iwakuni Base and Japan’s Kure Naval Base.
• Hezuma urged the government to implement immediate regulations on foreign land purchases.
• He visited Kasasajima due to personal ties and to address foreign land ownership issues.
• The councilor emphasized the importance of firsthand observation for policymaking.
• Defense-related concerns have been raised due to the island’s strategic location.
Summary
Ryusei Hezuma, a Nara City councilor, visited Kasasajima in Yamaguchi Prefecture, citing concerns over Chinese investment in the island’s land. With a population of just seven, the island is strategically located near U.S. and Japanese military bases, raising national security issues. Hezuma, originally from the region, called for urgent government action to regulate foreign land purchases. His visit aimed to address foreign ownership concerns and was motivated by personal ties to the area. The councilor stressed the importance of firsthand observation in tackling such issues.
