Plaintiffs unite to fight U.S. jet noise in Japan, Okinawa

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Plaintiffs unite to fight U.S. jet noise in Japan, Okinawa
By Hana Kusumoto, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, September 8, 2008

YAMATO CITY, Japan — Plaintiffs in litigation over military aircraft noise in mainland Japan and Okinawa agreed Saturday to unite in their fight for quieter skies.

For the first time in the more than 30-year history of such noise lawsuits in Japan, plaintiffs representing several groups seeking compensation and bans on early morning and late-night military flights gathered near Naval Air Facility Atsugi.

"It is extremely difficult to equally fight against massive state power alone," plaintiffs said in a declaration adopted by the groups Saturday afternoon. "However, we know we can exert equal or more than equal power if we have company that share and fight for a common objective."

The meeting, attended by more than 90 representatives, helped unite the groups with a common goal, attendees said.

"We saw and were encouraged that there are many people fighting together against the noise damage," said Tokio Kaneko, a Sagamihara city assembly member who was among those representing a coalition from Atsugi.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=57258