A Japanese court on Wednesday ordered the government to pay approximately 3.9 billion yen (about USD 25 million) in damages to thousands of residents living near the Atsugi air base outside Tokyo, ruling that years of excessive aircraft noise caused significant health problems and psychological distress.

The verdict, delivered by Presiding Judge Nobuhiro Okada at the Yokohama District Court, came in response to a lawsuit filed by roughly 8,000 residents from Ayase and Yamato cities. The plaintiffs argued that noise generated by military aircraft at the Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi violated their rights and reduced their quality of life. In his ruling, Judge Okada agreed, stating that the intense noise “caused damage that exceeded what could be tolerated in social life.”

The court acknowledged that residents have endured disruptive noise levels for decades. The Atsugi base, jointly operated by the U.S. Navy and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, sits in a densely populated residential area, amplifying the impact on surrounding communities. Judge Okada concluded that the long-term exposure to aircraft noise constituted a violation of residents’ rights and warranted compensation.

Following the ruling, an official from the Defense Ministry’s regional bureau said the government would “act accordingly with relevant agencies regarding our next steps,” indicating that Tokyo may review or appeal the decision.

Noise-related lawsuits against the Atsugi facility date back to 1976, with residents repeatedly challenging the government over night flights, health issues and disruption to daily life. Wednesday’s ruling adds to a long history of litigation over noise pollution stemming from military operations at the base.

NAF Atsugi is a major strategic installation for both Japan and the United States. According to U.S. Naval Forces Japan, the facility is co-located with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and is situated about 16 km west of Yokohama and 36 km southwest of Tokyo. The base has served American personnel and their families for more than 50 years and hosts Carrier Air Wing Five — the only permanently forward-deployed, co-located air wing — for nearly three decades.

The base supports more than 40 tenant commands and provides key logistics, maintenance and aviation services for U.S. Navy operations in the Western Pacific, including those aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. The U.S. Navy describes NAF Atsugi as the “Tip of the Sword,” underscoring its importance to regional stability.

Despite its strategic value, the court ruling highlights a long-standing tension between national defense needs and the rights of local residents living under constant aircraft noise.