YOMIURI (LOCAL PAGE) 991027

EMERGENCY INVESTIGATION OF DIOXIN TO BEGIN OFF BASE

TOKYO, Yokohama - The Environment Agency and Kanagawa prefectural
government
(KPG) decided on October 26 to conduct an emergency investigation of
dioxin
outside the Naval Air Facility (NAF), Atsugi, which sits on the northern

side of the industrial waste disposal facility in Ayase City.

According to the agency, the joint investigation was requested by the
American side. Both the Japanese and U.S. Governments operated together
the
dioxin investigation inside the base. Now the agency and the KPG will
also
investigate air and soil of a residential area and an industrial area
which
are located southern part of the facility due to the seasonal wind
changes;
south wind in summer and north wind in winter.

The Environment and Agricultural Administration Department of the KPG
has
not disclosed details of the coming investigation. The department is to
announce an interim report at the end of next month.