Japan Press Weekly

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2019 October 30 - November 5 [US FORCES]

Plaintiffs bring Iwakuni base noise ruling to Supreme Court

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit against military aircraft noise at the Iwakuni base on October 31 filed with the Supreme Court an appeal against the Hiroshima High Court ruling which dismissed the plaintiffs’ demand for putting an end to noise pollution.

The plaintiffs living near the Iwakuni base (Yamaguchi Pref.), which is used by the U.S. military and Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, are waging a court battle to win a ruling that bans takeoffs and landings as well as starting the engines of military airplanes between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., eliminates flight drills, including nosedives, over residential areas, and prohibits takeoffs and landings of carrier-born aircraft and aerial refueling aircraft.

At a press conference after the filing, head of the plaintiffs’ group Tsuda Toshiaki said, “The high court left our hardships caused by noise from the Iwakuni base untouched. We hope the top court will make a decision that will contribute to turning Iwakuni into a quiet and safe place.”

The plaintiffs’ legal team expressed its determination to work hard to win the lawsuit in solidarity with people fighting similar lawsuits across Japan.

Past related article:
> Appeals court increases compensation for noise pollution at Iwakuni base [October 26, 2019]