The Japanese government suddenly changed their policy and announced that they will procure earth and sand used for landfill not from the mainland but within the Okinawa Prefecture. In addition, they revealed that they were considering procurement of 3.5 million cubic meters of sea sand, which newly came to be required for soft ground improvement work, within the prefecture. They nulled all their previous explanations as they fear that the construction would be prolonged under the strict regulation based on an ordinance to regulate the use of sediment such as soil and stone from outside the prefecture
he Japanese government suddenly changed their policy and announced that they will procure earth and sand used for landfill not from the mainland but within the Okinawa Prefecture. In addition, they revealed that they were considering procurement of 3.5 million cubic meters of sea sand, which newly came to be required for soft ground improvement work, within the prefecture. They nulled all their previous explanations as they fear that the construction would be prolonged under the strict regulation based on an ordinance to regulate the use of sediment such as soil and stone from outside the prefecture
The overall volume of earth and sand required for the land reclamation for constructing the new base is 20.62 million cubic meters, of which 80% was intended to be brought in from the western Japan in the initial plan. However, as there is a risk that foreign species attached to soil from outside of the prefecture could threaten the ecosystem of Okinawa, the prefecture strictly regulates by setting up countermeasures. Until now, although the Ministry of Defense had been considering the heat treatment procedure to control alien species, experts had pointed out that this was an “impractical” solution when considering the huge amount of the soil to be treated.
The procurement of 20 million cubic meters of soil exclusively within the prefecture should lead to the massive destruction of nature. In addition, there is concern that lucrative business contract on soil and sand could make a high-price deal possible. Construction companies in the prefecture have begun to worry about the impact on their work. It is inevitable that the sudden drastic change in the plan would be harshly criticized by business organizations and contractors.
An ordinance to regulate the use of sediment such as soil and stone from outside the prefecture was passed by the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly on July 13, 2015. The ordinance is aimed to prevent the invasion of foreign organisms and to preserve the environment. Bringing in earth and sand from outside of the prefcture is required to be notified to the governor, and alien organisms to be exterminated before being brought in. If violated, the officials could stop the transport and conduct on-site inspections on the soil.
(In front of Camp Schwab Gate)
Dec 27 marked the 2000th day of sit-in protest in front of the gate, which began in July 2014. At the gate, members of the group Tida (which means sun in Okinawan language) and volunteers took a central role to organize the “Day 2000 of sit-in” gathering. Approximately 100 people participated, including Susumu Inamine, ex-Mayor of Nago City, Yoshito Oshiro, a member of the Nago City Council, and Fumiko Shimabukuro (90 years old), the eldest among the participants. Support message from Japan and abroad were read, and the people cheered and applauded when the moderator reported that the world is watching at Okinawa, and the struggle in Okinawa has been empowering the world.
In the middle of the rally, as the unexpected transport of construction materials suddenly began. People rushed to the construction gate and started sit-in. Thirty trucks entered into the base finalizing the transport of the materials of this year.
In the afternoon, pork soup and zenzai sweet were served. People danced Kachashi with an accompaniment of a song performed by Yutaka Umisedo, a popular Okinawan singer. At the end, everyone faced to the gate and shouted together, “overthrow the Abe administration and stop the construction of the new base definitely next year.”
(In front of Ryukyu Cement Pier at Awa)
As cargo ships were unable to reach the shore due to high waves, there was no loading of earth and sand. However, 613 trucks entered into the pier and unloaded the earth and sand at the temporary stocking site. 7 people kept protesting.
(In front of Shiokawa Pier at Motobu Town)
No loading to cargo ships at the Shiokawa Pier, either. Approximately 50 trucks loaded with earth and sand entered into the pier and covered the ground with them.
