Japan Press Weekly

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2008 February 20 - 26 [US FORCES]

Transport minister apologizes for improper handling of U.S. fighter jets’ tailing of Japanese commercial plane near Guam

Transport Minister Fuyushiba Tetsuzo in the February 20 Lower House Transport Committee meeting admitted that the ministry failed to properly deal with the problem in which a Japanese commercial airplane was followed by U.S. F-15 fighter jets conducting training exercises over the Pacific Ocean near Guam last summer.

On August 8, 2007, JALways flight 772 was followed by two U.S. F-15 fighter jets, and the Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) issued a Resolution Advisory (RA) twice.

In accordance with Aviation Law, JAL reported the incident to the Transport Ministry on the next day. Although the ministry confirmed that there was no fault on the part of JAL, it failed to carry out any investigation concerning the U.S. forces.

In the committee meeting, Japanese Communist Party representative Kokuta Keiji criticized the ministry, stating, “The Transport Ministry, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of Japanese airplanes and passengers, should have immediately investigated the case, negotiated with the U.S. forces, and taken preventive measures.”

Fuyushiba answered, “Your assertion is right. We will reflect on our failure and make sure that such a case will never take place again.”

Last September, the Liaison Council of Civil Aviation Workers’ Unions and two other organizations requested that the Transport and Foreign ministries conduct investigations and take necessary measures, but did not receive any response.

After they made a similar request to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo in October, the U.S. forces in November acknowledged that the case was in violation of international regulations, offered an apology, which is unusual, and promised to take preventive measures.