US base construction threatens Okinawa's ecosystem

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

US base construction threatens Okinawa's ecosystem

The planned construction of U.S. military facilities is threatening the rich biodiversity of Okinawa. This was revealed on October 23 by environmental groups at a forum they held during the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 10).

The Japanese government's responsibility for ecosystem conservation was also stressed at the forum, which was held at Nagoya Gakuin University, Aichi Pref.

Encompassing the habitat of a wide variety of species such as dugongs, blue coral reef, and Okinawa rails, Okinawa is often described as the "Galapagos of the East". The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has repeatedly recommended that the Japanese government conserve such endangered species.

Stressing how precious Okinawa's biodiversity is, Hanawa Shinichi of the WWF Japan stressed that U.S. base construction must not be allowed as it will destroy the rich ecosystem of the southernmost island of Japan.

Participants representing residents groups in Okinawa's Henoko and Takae opposing the construction of U.S. military facilities also spoke, expressing their sense of responsibility to protect the environment and save it for future generations.

- Akahata, October 24, 2010