Japan Press Weekly

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2012 September 19 - 25 [US FORCES]

Osprey to fly over habitats of endangered species

The planned nationwide operations of U.S. forces MV-22 Osprey aircraft could threaten the existence of endangered species.

The U.S. Marine Corps on September 21 started test flights of the Osprey at its base in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

The Nature Conservation Society in Japan (NACS-J) has found out that six routes for the Osprey’s law-altitude flight exercises, specified by the Japanese government’s “Environment Review”, fly over important nature preserves which the nature conservation law designates as wildlife habitats.

In its report published in July, the NACS-J also revealed that under the planned routes there are habitats of the endangered species of golden eagle, mountain hawk-eagle, and ptarmigan.

It is estimated that in Japan there are only about 650 golden eagles left, the nation’s natural treasure. Ospreys are expected to fly over 12% of their habitats in Japan excluding Hokkaido.

NACS-J representative Shimura Tomoko pointed out, “It is a major concern that the flight of Ospreys, expected to fly as low as 60 meters above the ground causing excessive noise and wind pressure, could bring about serious damage to the natural environment.”

“We feel resentment against the government decision to accept the U.S. demand while totally ignoring the expertise of scientists concerned with natural environment conservation,” she added.