Residents near Yokota base protest U.S. Osprey deployment

"My preschool-aged daughter cries sometimes when she sees the aircraft flying and hears the noise"

Maybe you shouldn't have taught her to fear them then. "Look out honey, it's going to fall on your head! Run! We're all gonna die!"

Maybe you shouldn't have taught her to fear them then. "Look out honey, it's going to fall on your head! Run! We're all gonna die!"

agreed the rate at which Japanese helicopters have been falling out of the sky recently , its amazing there haven't been any protest over these, NO! HELICOPTERS

These Osprey haters need to get a life. Are they going to be protesting the JGSDF Ospreys as well?

Some 180 people opposed

Let's focus on a very small group. The use of "some" in this phrase is pointed.

I used to live near Yokota and was never bothered by noise. In fact there seemed to be more noise coming from helicopters using the JSDF base in Tachikawa, but I never heard of anyone protesting about that.

Those "local" people are the members of Japan communist party and are mobilized by them. They regularly protest in a park near the base. I just passed by them and really am suspicious of the number of 180.

No doubt members of the same group as the ones in Okinawa.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/military%20occupation

Once again, NOT an occupation.

The next time there's a natural disaster in the region, Ospreys will be utilized in delivering humanitarian aid and relief. They've proven their value in flying typhoon aid to the Philippines and other countries in that they can fly farther, faster and carry heavier payloads than conventional helicopters.

(source: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/11/22/world/ospreys-show-value-in-flying-typhoon-aid/#.W7PUEHtKiM8 )

(by the way, this article is from The Japan Times, not some American-bias source)

I, personally am thrilled when I hear those tilt rotor blades, when it's not above my house.

@Michael Jackson

You beat me to it. Of course her daughter cries when her mother convinced her she's going to burn to death when a US helicopter crashes into her.

Good! Now we have protests in great Tokyo in addition to Okinawa, Saga and other areas. With this all Japan effort we may have a social movement happening to get to the real question as to why Japan needs the Ospreys. All I can see is they help with Trumps trade demands. 

Of course! It has nothing to do with a decades-old alliance and the utility of the machines.

>

And you won't either, because they're not trying to kick the Japanese out of Japan. I suspect that sentiment has little to do with aircraft, and more to do with being constantly reminded that they are the conquered and Americans are occupiers

Over recent months I have noticed an increase in air traffic, mostly Civilian helicopters over central Tokyo. However when the Military units fly over, its more than noticeable. I have no idea why it is necessary for all this buzzing around the place, particularly over built up residential areas, and can fully sympathize as a result, with those residents living much closer to the aforementioned bases.

That all said, the Osprey is a really interesting aircraft - I wish Japan would host proper airshows like other countries, and not just their small open-day events, people would perhaps then appreciate different aircraft both old and new and not be so fearful of the newer ones falling out of the sky:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vglHpvcK-Jk

It does appear, however that the US President is not allowed to fly in one....

Those "local" people are the members of Japan communist party and are mobilized by them. They regularly protest in a park near the base. I just passed by them and really am suspicious of the number of 180.

Japan is being occupied. The presence of these craft just make it less subtle.

Dump the Ospreys and get the US military the hell out of Japan.

Ospreys should ban flying over residential areas.