Futenma neighbors continue testimony in suit over noise
NAHA, Okinawa — Neighbors of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma testified for the second time Thursday in their long-standing noise suit against the Japanese government.
Speaking to the three-judge panel, one resident called aircraft noise nerve-wrecking and that it made him feel as if hot rodders were driving over his head without mufflers. “While at least the helicopter noise ends after the aircraft goes away, noise from engine adjustments lasts for hours,” said Seiryo Arakaki, who lives in the Kiyuna district of Ginowan, near the runway’s north end. Such procedures interrupt his peace four to five days a week, he said. “The low and continuous noise irritates me and I wish I could smash it if it were a bug.”
To conclude the residents’ testimony, Zenji Shimada, who leads the plaintiff’s group, took the witness stand and challenged the court to experience the noise firsthand.
“I will let you stay (at) my place for 10 days for free of charge,” he said. “Please see and feel for yourself what the noise actually does to you.”
He said he could not accept the claim of the government lawyers who argued that aircraft noise from the air station was within “tolerable limits.”
In 2002, some 404 Ginowan residents filed suit against the Japanese government and the base commander, Col. Richard Lueking, charging that aircraft noise caused them physical and psychological harm.
The suit against Lueking, now retired, was dismissed in September 2004 when the Naha District Court ruled the Japanese government was responsible for damages a civil servant — in this case the base commander — causes while conducting official business.
Earlier this month the residents testified for the first time, telling their personal stories of alleged suffering due to flight activities at the air station. They are seeking $2.56 million in compensation and a halt to all flight operations from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The next session is for the court to make a site visit. On May 17, three judges will visit Kakazu Heights, located near the western limits of the air station.
