Japan Press Weekly

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2013 May 22 - 28 [US FORCES]

Government receives US military flight plans

The Japanese government receives flight plans of all U.S. military aircraft flying over the nation one or two hours before the flights, Akahata discovered and reported on May 24.

Concerning a possible collision of U.S. aircraft and air ambulances, Kochi Prefecture and other local governments have demanded that the U.S. forces release their flight plans.

Government officials, however, have reiterated in Diet deliberations that the government is not aware of information regarding U.S. military operations.

In response to Akahata’s inquiry, the Transport Ministry indicated it will not make public the information based on the information disclosure law, which restricts information disclosure when there is a risk of losing the trust of other nations.

Lawyer Aragaki Tsutomu pointed out that U.S. military aircraft have been given the privilege to fly with no altitude restrictions and even under severe weather conditions. He stressed that flight plans should be disclosed in order to ensure the safety of commercial aircraft.