September 20, 2012

The Japanese government “safety declaration” in regard to the U.S. Marine Corps transport aircraft MV-22 Osprey has provoked widespread anger among the general public.

Foreign Minister Genba Koichiro and Defense Minister Morimoto Satoshi issued a statement at a news conference on September 19, claiming that there are no grounds for considering Ospreys to be “dangerous” and allows the U.S. Forces to begin their operations in Japan.

The U.S. is planning to conduct Osprey test flights at the Iwakuni base in Yamaguchi’s Iwakuni City in September and then initiate full operations at the Futenma base in Okinawa’s Ginowan City in October.

The statement specifies that the U.S. Forces will hold Ospreys’ low-altitude flight training throughout the country after their deployment to Okinawa.

According to the U.S.-Japan Joint Committee memorandum released at the press conference, the aircraft will be permitted to fly at an altitude below 150 meters, which is the minimum safe flight altitude specified by the civil aeronautics law and the international civil aviation treaty. This is the first time that a document of mutual agreement between the two nations plainly referred to such low-altitude flight training.

The memorandum also states that the planes’ crewmembers will regularly check and review their flight routes over the country. It suggests that neither the Japanese government nor the joint committee, but Ospreys’ pilots have the right to decide the routes.

On the same day, many citizens rallied in front of Iwakuni City Hall, protesting Defense Minister Morimoto’s visit to the city to explain the government stance. Putting up banners or placards reading “Iwakuni and Okinawa don’t need Ospreys”, protesters chanted, “The U.S. should immediately take the Ospreys home!”