Jul 13 (Mon): A sudden increase of infected persons in the U.S. military & closure of two U.S. military bases; Loading simultaneously to two carriers in Shiokawa

A dreaded incident occurred: 34 persons were newly infected with coronavirus in the U.S. military bases, following the last week, which totaled the umber of infected cases over 99 in the short period. Anxiety to the contagion has been rapidly increased in Okinawa Prefecture. According to the information disclosed by the U.S. military in Okinawa to the prefectural government, 32 new cases were confirmed in the Futenma Air Station, and one each at the Kadena Air Base and the Camp Kinser. Also, the Marines admitted the occurrence of a cluster (a group infection) in the Futenma Air Station and the Camp Hansen. No infected cases had been detected in the prefecture for 69 days; therefore, distrust on the U.S. military that does not disclose detailed information is growing, as well as suspicion on the disclosed number of infected persons is increasing.

The big events held in and out of the military bases from the middle of June to the Independence Day (July 4) seem to be the cause for the cluster infection. Hundreds of people gathered on the beaches for BBQs and dance parties.

On the 11^th, Denny Tamaki, the Governor of Okinawa, demanded the top of the U.S. military in Okinawa to close the Futenma Air Station and the Camp Hansen. It is said that both military bases were closed on the same day, but some residents in the neighborhood witnessed the entry/exit of the U.S. military vehicles.

The Camp Schwab is connected to the the Camp Hansen through a tunnel. Doesn’t the cluster infection in the Camp Hansen affect the Camp Schwab? Some Okinawans are getting suspicious if the U.S. military is not reporting the true number of infected cases found in the Camp Schwab to avoid discontinuance of the construction.

(In front of the Camp Schwab Gate）

In the sweltering heat (34^o C.), about 40 citizens staged a sit-in for the protest. The high temperature and the reflected heat from the pavement made the protestors dizzy although they were just sitting there. Avoiding physical contact with the protesting citizens, the riot police tried to persuade and prompt each protestor to rmove out of the sit-in. Delivery was done three times, and a total of 175 vehicles entered the base.

(Ryukyu Cement Awa Pier)

A rapid increase in the number of covid-19 infected cases and the unprecedentedly hot summer dramatically reduced the number of participants in the protest. Only several persons participated in the protest. Hibiscus blooms in various colors along a fence were beautiful. Sand/soil for 769 vehicles was loaded to three carriers, which left the pier.

(Motobu Shiokawa Pier)

About 20 persons made the protest. They delayed the transportaion work by walking slowly in front of the dump trucks loaded with soil/sand. Two carriers are docked at the pier since last week and simultaneously loaded. It seems that the Prime Minister’s office urges the Okinawa Defense Bureau to speed up the work because the delivery and shipping are considerably delayed due to the bad weather and the protest movement. However, the number of dump trucks has not been increased much. A surveillance camera has been set up in a corner of the pier. It is said that the camera is linked directly to the Prime Minitster’s office.