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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP protests U.S. Naval helicopter sudden landing on crowded beach

On July 30, a UH-3H helicopter from the U.S. Naval Atsugi Air Station made an emergency landing on Katase beach in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The beach was crowded with many people enjoying this summer vacation.

Though no one was injured, the U.S. forces later changed its explanation on the landing from a "preventive landing" to an "emergency landing."

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The number of emergency landings the U.S. forces made in Japan reached 22 in the 4 years since 2002, including the latest Fujisawa case. Concerning 17 cases out of the 22, the U.S. forces didn't report to Japan the result of their investigation into the incident. The Defense Facilities Administration Agency revealed this in reply to questioning by Japanese Communist Party Akamine Seiken.

At the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee meeting on August 3, Akamine warned that the Fujisawas case would have killed or injured many people. "Japan must request the U.S. forces to take security measures and report back to Japanese authorities," he stated.

Akamine demanded that the U.S. forces stop flying helicopters over urban areas, and cancel all flights of the same type of helicopter at least until the results of its investigation are reported to Japan.

Foreign Minister Machimura Nobutaka rejected Akamine's request to call on the U.S. side to cancel all flights of UH-3H helicopters. Akamine said, "Such a lenient attitude has allowed U.S. aircraft accidents to continue without ceasing.

In Kanagawa Prefecture, emergency landings of U.S. forces helicopters occurred in May 2003 in Hatano city, in August 2004 in Yokohama City, in February 2005 in Isehara City, an ammunition drop case in July 2004 in Yokohama City, followed by a metallic part drop from FA-18 Hornet fighter attacker in December 2004 in Fujisawa City. -- Akahata, August 4, 2005