Roppongi residents call for withdrawal of U.S. base

In Roppongi, Tokyo's most stylish district, residents took to the street on April 19 calling for the removal of the U.S. helicopter base from the district.

Around the U.S. heliport "Akasaka Press Center," residents disturbed by noise, vibration, and danger of crashes have been demanding the dismantling of the base since 1967.

Due to public construction work in 1983, the U.S. Forces were allowed to use part of adjoining Aoyama Park as their temporary helipad. The agreement between the Tokyo metropolitan government, the U.S. Forces, and the Tokyo Defense Administration Facilities Bureau stated that the U.S. Forces must return the park to Tokyo when the construction finished. But the U.S. Forces never fulfilled that promise, even after the completion of the work in 1993.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has requested that the U.S. Forces return the park to Tokyo, its original owner. Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro has demanded the withdrawal of the U.S. helicopter base itself. The Tokyo Defense Administration Facilities Bureau said it will request the U.S. Forces to honor the tripartite agreement. (end)