Editorial: Low-altitude flights by US military in Japan are dangerous, breed distrust
April 5, 2021 (Mainichi Japan)
Low-altitude flights by U.S. military helicopters over central Tokyo are becoming a common sight.
A Mainichi Shimbun investigation conducted from an observation deck in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building and other locations over the course of half a year recorded U.S. helicopters flying at low altitudes of under 300 meters over 20 times.
Such low-altitude flights are dangerous and could lead to a disaster, and they cannot be overlooked. The U.S. military should clarify the state of such flights and their purpose.
Japan's Civil Aeronautics Act requires aircraft to maintain an altitude of at least 300 meters above the highest building in densely populated areas, or 150 meters in areas that are not densely populated.