U.S. Forces in Okinawa Curb Training Fire

TOKYO — U.S. military forces in Japan said Friday they were halting all live training firing at an Okinawa range where neighbors complained that bullets strayed into nearby residential areas.

The announcement by U.S. Forces Japan did not refer directly to complaints that followed exercises Oct. 15 at a Camp Hansen firing range on the southern Japanese island.

But it said that “senior U.S. officials have expressed deep regret over recent incidents and have emphasized the respect and appreciation American military forces feel for the people of Okinawa and their culture.”

Local officials said nine bullets were reported found in a community opposite the range’s target area. No one was reported injured, but two Japanese Foreign Ministry officials went to Okinawa last month to talk with U.S. generals and inspect firing ranges.

Flights Suspended

The announcement also said that demonstration flights by F-15 jet fighters at Kadena Air Base, also on Okinawa, were suspended indefinitely. It gave no reason for the action.

Maj. Anthony Rothfork, spokesman for U.S. forces in Japan, said safety regulations for other firing ranges had been reviewed, permanent safety officers would be present for all live firing training, the direction of firing would be restricted, and safety education would be increased.

About 64,000 U.S. troops are in Japan under a security treaty. About 35,000 of those troops are stationed in Okinawa.

Weeks after the firing range complaints on Okinawa, a U.S. Navy ship fired practice shells that landed about 330 yards from a Japanese Coast Guard vessel near the entrance to Tokyo Bay. The Navy immediately expressed regret and relieved the ship’s skipper of command.

But the incident brought an official complaint to the U.S. Embassy from the Japanese Foreign Ministry, and Japanese newspapers published blistering editorials.