Nov 20 (Fri): “The central government’s instruction was unlawful,” Governor Tamaki claims in the lawsuit of corals in Henoko. A singer, Mayumi Kawaguchi, performed in front of the gate.

Again, the case of Okinawa prefectural government vs. the central government regarding the corals in Oura Bay is in court. On Jun 26, the Okinawa Defense Bureau submitted a request to Okinawa prefectural government to relocate 35,000 colonies of the corals growing in the Bay in preparation for the new base construction. The prefectural government had not responded for two months because the soft ground in the Bay requires significant design changes in the construction plan. Through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, the central government instructed the prefectural government to approve in August to hasten the process. The prefectural government took the central government to court, claiming that the Minister’s instruction violates the Local Government Act. And it also deprives the governor’s right to rule over the municipality matters.

Approximately 100 people gathered in the meeting held yesterday before the court session began to cheer Governor Tamaki, who would speak in the court. The prosecuting attorney, Mr. Yutaka Kato, severely criticized the central government, “There is no reason to relocate the corals before the decision on the design change request comes out.”

The court closed the session on the same day without hearing six expert witnesses, including lawyers and specialists on corals. The court will deliver its decision on Feb 3 in 2021.

Two years ago, the Okinawa Defense Bureau relocated nine coral colonies, including Okinawa Hama coral ( porites, a genus of stony coral) on the endangered species list. Three of the nine colonies had already been dead, and another was found dead on the 17^th. The experts on corals have pointed out, “survival rate after the relocation is extremely low.” Relocating corals is a risky business.

(In front of Camp Schwab Gate)

A sudden increase in the number of covid-19 infected cases reported yesterday has increased anxiety, and only 15 people participated in the protest. Ms. Mayumi Kawaguchi, a singer, came and cheered us with songs, “Che sarà” and “Okinawa, stand up now!”. She spoke in her hometown (Kyoto) direct, “It is difficult to come here in the covid-19 pandemic, but we share your spirit. Let us move ahead!”

The drivers made three rounds of deliveries during the day, and a total of 250 trucks made construction material deliveries.

(Ryukyu Cement Awa Pier)

Twenty four members of Okinawa Heiwa Shimin Rennrakukai (Okinawa Peace Forum) protested at the pier’s entrance and exit. The number of protesters was too small for the commander H to show up. Eight officers alone worked to control the rally.

They loaded a total of 565 truckloads to two cargo ships that departed the pier.

(Motobu Shiokawa Pier)

Four members of Motobu Shimagurumi (Motobu chapter of the Island-Wide Conference) protested all day long. The dump trucks appeared to be running faster because no trucking operation took place in the past two days. Henoko offshore, the workers transferred the earth and sand from a pontoon to the cargo ships. And in Oura Bay, the workers moved the said soil to a pontoon to unload to land. A total of three transfers take place for each shipping every day.

They transferred 521 truckloads of earth and sand to four pontoons.