The U.S. military issued a memorandum to correspondents recently in response to Japanese media criticism of "inconsiderate low-level flight training in Japan."
The criticism that U.S. military aircraft are conducting these flights without consideration for local residents "is inaccurate," according to the U.S. forces' letter faxed to news agencies and press corps.
U.S. forces in Japan comply with international standards and respect Japanese regulations "even though exempted by Japanese special law," it says. The Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement exempts the U.S. military from abiding by Japanese civil aviation regulations on low-level flying, which limit flights to no lower than 150 meters and to no lower than 300 meters over congested areas.
Although a number of protests have been made by local citizens across Japan about "low-altitude flights" by the U.S. military, a Foreign Ministry official said the term "low-level" is based only on people's subjectivity. "It's just impossible to verify whether U.S. aircraft have violated Japanese flight regulations," the official said.
Citing the 1994 crash of a U.S. A6-E Intruder into a reservoir in Kochi Prefecture during a low-altitude drill, the official said the Japanese government has asked the U.S. to ensure safety measures and to "respect" Japanese flight regulations.
The letter informed the Japanese media that the USFJ directed a review to thoroughly examine low-level flight training. "We are very sensitive to the sometimes intrusive nature of our training," Lt. Gen. John B. Hall is quoted as saying in the letter. "We deeply appreciate the understanding of the Japanese people with regard to our low-level flight requirements."