Japan Press Weekly

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2010 March 24 - 30 [US FORCES]

U.S. returns air control over Okinawa to Japan

Air traffic control over Okinawa has been controlled by the Kadena radar approach control system, known as “Kadena RAPCON,” at the U.S. Marine Corps Kadena Air Station. The system covers airspace up to an altitude of 6 kilometers within a 90-kilometer radius of the Kadena base and airspace up to an altitude of about 5.5 kilometers within a 1.5-kilometer radius of Kumejima Airport, located west of the main Okinawa island.

Because of this, civilian flights using Naha Airport are forced to take strictly limited routes and flight altitudes.

Many near misses between civilian and U.S. military aircraft have occurred and the risk of low-altitude flight accidents is significant. There has been a strong demand over the years that in order to secure the safety of civil aviation, air control rights over Okinawa should be returned to Japan.

The air space that Japan regained will be allowed on the premise of not disturbing U.S. military activities.

In May 2002, the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee reached an agreement on conditions regarding the transfer of the Kadena RAPCON to Japan. The agreement highly prioritizes the U.S. forces in the air traffic control over Okinawa. The Japanese government, however, refuses to give any details about this agreement.

A land ministry official said that it is still not determined at what altitudes Japanese civilian aircraft will be allowed to fly at after the return.
- Akahata, March 29, 2010