Japan Press Weekly

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2013 May 15 - 21 [SDF]

Citizens do not want flight demo of fighter jets over historical city of Nara

A group of 188 Nara citizens on May 14 filed a complaint with the Osaka Regional Aviation Bureau for its approval for a low-altitude flight demonstration by Japanese Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets during an annual festival scheduled to be held on May 25 at the JASDF Nara base.

In the complaint, the 188 citizens argue: low-altitude flights over residential areas are prohibited based on residents’ right to live peacefully; a site for emergency landing has yet to be selected; and flights over cultural treasurers at low-altitude are banned.

Meanwhile, stating that JASDF fighter aircraft will fly no lower than the minimum safe altitude level set under aviation law, the bureau claimed that there is no need to complain.

In past events, the prefectural and city governments received a large number of complaints from citizens who were shocked at the tremendous roar caused by fighter planes flying at low-altitudes during demonstration flights.