July 3 (Fri): Mining of earth and sand by Ryukyu Cement may be illegal; More than 1000 truckloads of earth and sand were shipped out for 2 consecutive days at Awa

Suspicion has emerged that earth and sand intended for reclamation work at Oura Bay have been being shipped without getting the permission for mining. The investigation done by Tsuyoshi Kitaueda, an executive member of the Peace Citizens’ Liaison Committee, revealed the fact that the part (marked by a red circle on the photo) of the Awa Mine, where Ryukyu Cement is currently mining earth and sand, is a mountain area which should have been governed by Forest Act. There is a strong possibility that the company illegally mined earth and sand without getting the permission from the Okinawa prefecture. Forest Act demands for anyone to get the governor’s permission when their operational plan would bring a change in geometry at the area more than 1 hectare. It’s a strict law. With violation you would be subject to criminal penalty including imprisonment and fines.

Responding to the inquiry by a newspaper, Ryukyu Cement explained that they had acquired necessary procedures and have followed the Forest Act. However any document, which backs up their insistance, has not been found at the archives preserved by the Okinawa Prefecture. On July 2, the prefectural office conducted an onsite-investigation at the Awa Mine. If illegal activities are confirmed, the prefecture can order the company to stop the mining and to restore to original state based on the act. We urge the Okinawa prefectural government to take a firm stance on the issue.

(In front of the Camp Schwab Gate)
Approximately 30 people joined the sit-in protest in front of the gate. Riot police tried to persuade people to move voluntarily as they would like to avoid physical touch with the protesters when removing them from the sit-in site. Therefore, it took more time for them than usual for the procedure. More than 30 minutes were needed until the last protester was moved away. 261 truckloads of construction materials were delivered.

(In front of Ryukyu Cement Awa pier)

Under the hot sun, approximately 40 people protested against the delivery of earth and sand at the entrance and the exit of the pier. As the trucks came from both directions of the national highway, there was no time to rest. Taking care of rehydration, we kept standing in alternate shifts in front of the gate. 1005 truckloads of earth and sand were loaded to 4 carrying vessels today, while 1019 truckloads were loaded yesterday.
Canoe team, consisting of 13 boats today, delayed the departure of the first carrying vessel for nealy one hour by having clung around it to obstacle its move.