Tokyo, Nov 19 — In a landmark ruling, the Yokohama District Court on Wednesday ordered the Japanese government to pay approximately 3.9 billion yen (about 25 million USD) in damages to residents living near the Atsugi air base for long-term health hazards and psychological distress caused by excessive aircraft noise, local media reported.
The case was brought forward by around 8,000 residents living in and around the densely populated cities of Ayase and Yamato in Kanagawa Prefecture, where the Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi is located. Presiding Judge Nobuhiro Okada stated that the disruptive noise levels “caused damage that exceeded what could be tolerated in social life,” recognizing that the operational activities at the base had significantly disrupted the daily lives of residents for decades.
Judge Okada further noted that the continuous noise amounted to a violation of residents’ rights, acknowledging the deep impact on their physical and mental well-being. The ruling comes as part of a series of lawsuits filed since 1976 over noise pollution linked to the base, which is jointly operated by the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the United States military.
Following the decision, an official from the Defense Ministry’s regional bureau said the ministry would “act accordingly with relevant agencies regarding our next steps,” indicating that the government may consider its legal and administrative options.
NAF Atsugi, co-located with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, is a major strategic hub situated roughly 16 km west of Yokohama and 36 km southwest of Tokyo. The base has hosted U.S. Navy personnel and their families for five decades and is home to Carrier Air Wing Five—the only permanently forward-deployed, co-located air wing of the U.S. Navy for nearly 30 years. It supports extensive aviation operations for Carrier Air Wing Five aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), underscoring its critical role in U.S. military strategy in the Western Pacific.
According to U.S. Naval Forces Japan, Atsugi’s strategic importance “continues to grow,” serving as a key pillar in maintaining regional stability.
