April 2, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
As part of construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF) in Henoko, Nago City, the Okinawa Defense Bureau’s construction of the K8 seawall off the shore of Camp Schwab is ongoing as of April 2.
Soil has been deposited into land reclamation sections 2 and 2-1.
Seven canoes went out on Henoko Bay in the vicinity of the K8 seawall to protest its construction. One of the canoe protestors, Noboru Takeno, 71, of Shizuoka Prefecture, criticized the Japanese government for forcing through construction of the FRF in Okinawa.
Takeno said, “The construction only discriminates against Okinawa. As a human of the mainland I cannot allow it.”
Akutagawa Prize-winning author Shun Medoruma, 58, explained why he continues to protest. He said, “It gets worse the longer construction doesn’t stop, so I will protest diligently. No one is doing it because they enjoy it.”
Citizens staged a sit-in protest in front of a Camp Schwab gate as trucks came through the gate at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. hauling materials.
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
