Tokyo Area Control Center, Air traffic control center in Tokorozawa, Japan.
The Tokyo Area Control Center in Tokorozawa manages air traffic across a region spanning Kantō, Jōetsu, Tōhoku, Chūbu, Hokuriku, and parts of Kansai. It coordinates all aircraft moving through its designated airspace to keep them safely separated from one another.
The center began operations in 1966, establishing organized airspace management for Japan's rapidly expanding aviation sector. This founding marked a critical shift in handling the nation's growing volume of air traffic.
Japanese air traffic controllers maintain precise coordination through structured communication protocols, reflecting the nation's dedication to procedural excellence.
Controllers work in rotating shifts to monitor the facility twenty-four hours a day, with radar displays and constant radio contact with pilots. Access to the center is restricted for security reasons, so advance arrangements are usually necessary for any visit.
A notable incident in 2001 involved conflicting instructions between ground control and aircraft systems, which prompted significant improvements to safety communication procedures. The changes that followed strengthened how the facility coordinates with aviation throughout the region.
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