Ryukyu Shimpo wrote that Okinawa Governor Tamaki commented on the joint exercises between the U.S. Marines and the GSDF that started in Okinawa on Thursday by saying that the drills, which were held despite the spread of COVID-19 infection in the prefecture, are unacceptable in view of the feelings of the people of Okinawa. The governor reportedly added that the joint exercises should not be carried out because the prefectural government has declared a state of emergency and a number of COVID-19 cases have been confirmed among the Marines in Okinawa.