Japan Press Weekly

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2018 October 24 - 30 [US FORCES]

Heads of 9 universities in Okinawa demand that US military aircraft stop flying over their campuses

Heads of universities and other higher education institutions in Okinawa Prefecture on October 26 held a press conference in the prefectural office building and announced that they had sent to the Japan and U.S. governments petitions demanding that U.S. military aircraft stop flying over campus buildings.

At the press conference, the university heads stressed that noise pollution caused by U.S. airplanes severely hampers classes, research, and other activities on school premises.

Their petition points out that U.S. Ospreys stationed at the U.S. Futenma base in Ginowan City make takeoffs and landings more and more frequently and repeatedly cause accidents and mishaps.

The written demand states that the heads of tertiary institutions have a responsibility to secure a safe environment for students and teachers. It demands immediate measures to prevent U.S. military aircraft from flying over school buildings.

The petition was sent to Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, President Donald Trump, foreign affairs and defense departments of the Japanese and U.S. governments on October 23. The institution heads made similar requests at least once a year in the last five years. The petitioners are heads of the University of the Ryukyus, Meio University, Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, Okinawa Prefectural College of Nursing, National Institution of Technology Okinawa College, Okinawa Christian University and College, Okinawa International University, Okinawa University, and Okinawa Women’s Junior College.

Past related articles:
> 3 US Ospreys make emergency landings within one day [August 15 and 17, 2018]
> US Ospreys yet again forced to make emergency landings at civilian airport in Kagoshima [June 5, 2018]