Reader M.A. lives next to U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa and is bothered by the noise from the airport.

"About two to three months ago planes started flying at night until about two in the morning. I would move but I have a contract with my housing agency that doesn't allow me to. We would greatly appreciate any help you can offer."

This is a common problem near any airport, but the issue of aircraft noise around Futenma has been a big story locally and nationally for years. In fact, the Japanese government chose not to appeal a ruling by the Fukuoka High Court's Naha branch in July ordering the state to pay a total of ¥369 million to 390 plaintiffs living near the base to compensate them for the health hazards associated with low-frequency sound waves from helicopter noise (see search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100814a5.html ).