Okinawa Environmental Justice Project

Public Comments September 28 is the deadline for submitting your comments to the Okinawa Prefectural Government on the Okinawa Defense Bureau's application for change in construction design and work for the Futenma Replacement Facility (AKA Henoko new base) at Henoko-Oura Bay in northern Okinawa. As of September 24, the  Prefectural Government has received 4,000 submissions and it will receive more in the next few days. Most of the comments submitted so far urge Governor Denny Tamaki to disapprove of the Bureau's application and stop the construction project.  Governor Denny Tamaki  Image Source: Okinawa Prefectural Government Why are many people submitting their comments?  What do they express in their comments? Can people in the international community submit comments and support the movement against Henoko base construction?  If so, how?   Problems the Defense Bureau's Application   The Okinawa Defense Bureau seeks new approval from Governor Tamaki because the Oura Bay s

On September 8, 2020, the Okinawa Prefectural Government began its three-week public review and comment period   on the Okinawa Defense Bureau's application  for change in construction design and work for the Futenma Replacement Facility (commonly known as Henoko new base) now under construction at Henoko-Oura Bay in northern Okinawa.   Beautiful Oura Bay on September 4, 2020 All construction vessels left the bay in advance of Typhoon Haishen The public review and comment period is part of the prefectural government's review process of the Bureau's application under the Public Water Reclamation Act. The  prefectural government will be collecting public comments until September 28. Incorporating them, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki will then decide to approve or reject the application in the next three to six months; Governor Tamaki is expected to reject the application.  The Defense Bureau submitted its application  in April 2020 as it admitted that the seafloor at the Oura