Photo/Illutration Fukui Governor Tatsuji Sugimoto, right, hands a written emergency request for the deployment of Self-Defense Forces around nuclear plants in his prefecture to Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi in Tokyo on March 8. (Naoki Matsuyama)

The governor of Fukui Prefecture is calling on the central government to deploy Self-Defense Forces around nuclear facilities in his prefecture following the seizure of a nuclear plant in Ukraine by Russian troops.

“Operating reactors should never come under attack,” said Governor Tatsuji Sugimoto. “To prepare for such a contingency, I urge the Defense Ministry to set up SDF bases to intercept attacks.”

Fukui Prefecture is home to 15 nuclear reactors, including those under decommissioning, the most in the nation.

Sugimoto issued an emergency request for troop deployments when he met with Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi in Tokyo on March 8.

The written request said the conflict in Ukraine drove home the threat to all nuclear facilities around the world and that Japan should consider taking protective measures for its nuclear plants to enhance its national security.

According to Sugimoto, the defense minister replied that an early deployment would be difficult, but he will consider the request.

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