National Mar 28, 2020
Flying low: The battle over Tokyo’s airspace
by Osamu Tsukimori
Haneda Airport’s new flight paths commence despite concerns from aviation experts and public opposition.
National / Crime & Legal May 22, 2019
Man nabbed for pointing laser at U.S. military plane in Tokyo suburb
Police said Wednesday they have arrested a man on suspicion of aiming a laser pointer at a U.S. military aircraft flying in the vicinity of Yokota Air Base in the suburbs of Tokyo. Yoshinori Shigekawa, 60, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly forcing U.S. military ...
National Apr 22, 2019
U.S. may back commercial use of Yokota base during 2020 Tokyo Olympics, top officer says
A top commander of U.S. Forces Japan backed the idea Monday of allowing commercial aircraft to use the U.S. military's Yokota Air Base, located in the suburbs of Tokyo, during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. "We will support it a hundred percent" if ...
National Feb 5, 2019
New commander of U.S. forces in Japan says rapid response is key for alliance
The United States and Japan need to maintain a strong security alliance to quickly respond to any threat in the Asia-Pacific region, the new commander of U.S. Forces Japan said Tuesday. "Because of the clear threats to peace and security in this region, we must ...
National Dec 18, 2018
Japan set to control commercial flight routes in U.S. military airspace over Tokyo
Japan is set to agree with the United States that it will control new commercial flight routes in the U.S. military-controlled airspace near Tokyo's Haneda airport, officials said Tuesday. "We are in the final phase of negotiations with the United States," transport minister Keiichi Ishii ...
National / Politics Aug 22, 2018
U.S. military to deploy five Ospreys to Yokota Air Base near Tokyo in October
The U.S. military will deploy five Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft to Yokota Air Base in the suburbs of Tokyo on Oct. 1 as part of a plan to introduce a total of 10 Ospreys to the base over several years, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday. While ...
National Apr 11, 2018
U.S. military halts parachute training after Tokyo school mishap
Local authorities lodged a protest Wednesday with the central government and the U.S. military after a U.S. Air Force member's parachute fell onto the grounds of a school near Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo the day before. "It could have been a life-threatening incident" ...
National / Politics Feb 8, 2018
Amid Olympic detente, Pence talks tough
by Tomohiro Osaki
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence talks up the Japan-U.S. alliance and Washington’s resolve to dismantle North Korea’s arsenal, during a visit to Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo.
National / Crime & Legal Oct 11, 2017
Government ordered to pay damages over aircraft noise at U.S. Yokota base
A court orders the government to pay damages to residents around the U.S. Yokota Air Base over aircraft noise while dismissing the plaintiffs’ calls to halt some flights.
National Jan 10, 2017
Japan gets approval for new flight routes over Haneda airport using U.S. airspace
The government will be able to increase commercial routes in U.S.-controlled airspace over Tokyo’s Haneda airport in order to increase services ahead of the 2020 Olympics.
Baseball | BASEBALL BULLET-IN Jun 25, 2016
Okinawa base trouble puts dark cloud over upcoming Buffaloes-Eagles series
by Wayne Graczyk
This week, the annual two-game series where a couple of Japanese pro ballclubs travel to play at Naha's Okinawa Cellular Stadium will take place. The Pacific League's Orix Buffaloes and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles are scheduled to play there Tuesday and Wednesday. Normally, U.S. ...
National Jan 22, 2016
The U.S. Air Force has flown 14 F-22 stealth fighters to Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, the Japanese Defense Ministry said Friday. The arrival of the latest model of stealth fighters follows North Korea's nuclear test on Jan. 6 and the victory of Tsai ...