Japan probes damage on reefs from US base relocation plan in Okinawa
Local officials in Japan’s southwestern Okinawa Prefecture say they are inspecting coral reefs to assess the impact of preparations for a controversial plan to relocate a US military base there.
Officials and divers on Thursday took photos of the reefs as they carried out final preparations to conduct the seabed drilling of a site designated for an air base for the US Marines in a remote coastal area of Henoko in Nago City, in the north of the prefecture.
The United States plans to move the Marines Corps’ Futenma air base to the region to consolidate its troop presence in Okinawa.
Japanese defense authorities have used concrete blocks weighing up to 45 tons to hold floats that signal a no-entry zone around the site.
According to prefectural officials, the giant concrete set on the seabed may have inflicted damage on the reefs prompting the local authorities to inspect the blocks.
Washington and Tokyo first agreed to relocate the base from a more congested part of Okinawa to Nago in 1996, but opposition from local people and environmental groups has prevented construction in the small town of nearly 60,000 people.
About half of US forces in Japan are based in Okinawa. Many locals have complained about base-related crimes, noise and the risk of accidents.
Earlier, Susumu Inamine, the mayor of Nago, issued a statement protesting the relocation plan.
“Pushing forward with this tramples on the human rights of the people, and the rich diverse natural life of this region. This is no longer about democracy,” Inamine added.
Meanwhile, environmentalists assert that the construction of the base would put at risk the life of an endangered marine mammal related to the manatee as well as damage crucial feeding grounds and habitat for the dugong.
Many Japanese are angry over US plans and have been holding protests demanding that American forces be moved completely off the island.
HJM/HJL/HMV
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