14 DAY TRIAL // A Japanese air traffic controller posted President Obama's flight plan on his personal blog and now he could be charged for leaking national secrets.
According to Daily Yomiuri Online, president Obama is planning a trip to Asia in November to take part at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting and the leaked document shows detailed information about the flight from Seoul to Japan.
The owner of the blog posted 12 images that contained information about AirForce One and another American drone used for surveillance work around Fukushima.
"I took photos of my workplace and computers with my digital camera. I posted the photos on my blog several days after taking the photos,” he stated. "I wanted to show the photos to my friends and acquaintances."
The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry is the one handling the case. Its representative stated that these images and those of three radar screens showing aircraft routes were deleted from the blog.
Aviation regulations state that it is forbidden to take pictures inside radar rooms and airport control rooms, but some voices claim that these rules should be made stricter to prevent such unfortunate cases.
A senior Defense Ministry official said that "The movements of Air Force One have never been made public, even in the United States."
"It's terrible that such important information has been leaked online,” he added.
Because of the traffic controller, who is in his 50s and has been working at Haneda Airport since October 1981, Japan will be added to the list of countries that easily leaks information.
“It will likely erode other nations' trust in Japan. I can't believe the air traffic controller's lack of awareness as a government official," said Yoshitomo Aoki, a commentator on aviation and military affairs.
It is speculated that Prime Minister Noda will formulate an official apology with the occasion of visit to New York on September 21.