Japan Press Weekly

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2026 September 9 - 15 [US FORCES]

Memorial service held for victims of US military aircraft crash into ironworks in Kanagawa

A memorial ceremony for the victims of a U.S. military jet crash into an ironworks 62 years ago took place on September 8 in front of the monument established at the crash site in Kanagawa’s Yamato City.

The deadly accident occurred on September 8, 1964. A U.S. carrier-borne fighter soon after takeoff from the U.S. Atsugi Naval Base (Yamato and Ayase cities) crashed into the Tateno Metal Factory near the base and burst into flames. In this accident, five people, including the factory owner’s three sons, were killed and three residents were injured while the fighter pilot ejected safely before the aircraft crashed.

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Hatano Kimie and JCP member of the Yamato City Assembly Takaku Yoshimi attended the ceremony.

Hatano, delivering a speech, criticized the participation of a helicopter unit assigned to the Atsugi base in the ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iran. She said, “We can no longer allow Japan to be used as a base for U.S. wars abroad. What is needed is politics upholding the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution.”

An anti-Atsugi base activist voiced concern that an accident may happen at any time, expressing determination to continue fighting to get back the quiet sky overhead.

The ceremony received commemorative messages from Yamato City Mayor Koyata Tsutomu and City Assembly Chair Akamine Taichi.

Past related article:
> Yamato City residents commemorate victims of 1964 US military jet crash into metal factory [September 10, 2016]