Japan Press Weekly

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2008 May 21 - 27 [US FORCES]

Stop early morning take offs by U.S. fighter jets at U.S. Kadena Air Base: JCP Akamine

U.S. fighter jets taking off from the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa at around 5 a.m. disturb nearby residents’ sleep.

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Akamine Seiken at the Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on May 23 demanded that the government request the United States to stop early morning take offs by the fighter jets.

On April 23, on an exercise mission, U.S. F-15s left the Kadena base for the U.S. under the pretext of the need for them to be replaced with new aircraft.

On May 2 and 3, on another exercise mission, F-15s left the Kadena base ostensibly for the purpose of participating in training exercises in Alaska.

These take offs took place in disregard of repeated protests by nearby residents as well as local governments.

The Foreign Ministry’s North American Bureau director said that there are five military exercises in Alaska a year.

Akamine said, “Five times a year is unacceptable to Okinawans.”

“The government should stop giving the U.S. military priority and urge the U.S. to discontinue early morning take-offs at their bases in Japan,” Akamine demanded.
- Akahata, May 24, 2008