Japan Press Weekly

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2013 January 30 - February 5 [US FORCES]

Residents’ complaints about US aircraft roar reached highest number ever in 2012

Municipalities affected last year received the largest number of complaints from residents in regard to the roar of military aircraft stationed at the U.S. Atsugi Naval Base in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Residents’ complaints sent to the prefecture and its nine municipalities reached 7,022 in 2012, increasing from 5,677 in 2002, the highest number of complaints lodged until last year. If adding the 4,117 complaints sent to the Defense Ministry and other national government institutions, the total number of complaints lodged is 11,139.

In May, the local governments received 3,825 residents’ complaints, more than any other month last year. The U.S forces in May carried out its field carrier landing practice (FCLP) in disregard of the demand for its suspension by local municipalities, peace groups, and the Japanese Communist Party.

During the same month, Yamato City measured a 117 decibel noise level, close to the noise level at a construction site (120 decibel) as well as car horns (110 decibel), in a residential area one kilometer from the runway of the Atsugi base. Municipalities received a flood of criticism from residents, such as students not able to hear teachers’ voices in classrooms, children scared of the sudden roar of engines, and negatively affecting people suffering from stress, mental disorders, or physical illnesses.

Residents living around the Atsugi base are carrying out a court struggle in the Yokohama District Court, seeking suspension of the U.S. aircraft flights and compensation for damages.

One of the plaintiffs Yazawa Yoji said, “U.S. aircraft sometimes fly overhead even after 10 p.m. at night. We cannot hear the TV or talk on the phone.” He felt that the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty must be abrogated in order to eradicate the sufferings.