Stop U.S. low-flying exercises: Hiroshima

The Hiroshima Prefectural Government has requested the Japanese
government to take steps to stop U.S. forces' low-flight training in the
mountain regions in western Japan, which includes Hiroshima.

Complaining about sonic booms disturbing residents and the fear of
possible plane crashes, Hiroshima Prefecture submitted a petition to the
Foreign Ministry and the Defense Facilities Administration Agency on
December 20 demanding a halt to U.S. low-altitude flight training in the
region.

In Hiroshima, low-altitude flights by aircraft apparently from the U.S.
Marine Corps Iwakuni Air Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture (about 40 km from
Hiroshima City) have been monitored and 477 such flights were recorded
between April 1 and September 30.

The prefecture also pointed out that despite the 1999 Japan-U.S.
agreement that such exercises will not be held on weekends and holidays,
U.S. forces violated the agreement on at least 13 days involving 89 flights
during just the past half year.

Hiroshima Prefecture's letter pointed out that FA-18 combat aircraft from
the U.S. Iwakuni base have frequently dropped parts in mountain areas in the
region. (end)