Henoko-Oura Bay Symposium 2021: Fragile Seafloor and HOPE SPOT

As the Okinawa prefectural government was finalizing its pivotal decision regarding the Okinawa Defense Bureau's application for changes in construction design and work for the Henoko base construction, it held an online symposium, "Henoko-Oura Bay Symposium 2021," on September 11, 2021. 

Watch the Symposium (in Japanese)

The symposium featured two keynote speakers, three panelists, and a poised and inspiring video message from Dr. Sylvia Earle, a renowned marine biologist, oceanographer, and the founder of Mission Blue, a U.S.-based conservation NGO.  It deliberated upon two themes: the issues of the fragile seafloor at the construction site and the need for the conservation of the environment of Henoko-Oura Bay designated as a "HOPE SPOT." The symposium highlighted the recklessness of the Japanese government pushing the Henoko project. And it challenged the Japanese and U.S. governments' insistence that "Henoko is the only solution" to the relocation of the U.S. Marines Futenma Air Station. 

Watch Dr. Sylvia Earle delivering her message to the audience

Keynote Speeches
Governor Denny Tamaki opened the symposium by delivering his welcoming speech, expressing his determination to protect Henoko Oura Bay as Okinawa's treasure for generations to come.

The first Keynote Speaker was Dr. Shoji KAMAO of Nihon University. He presented the details of the "mayonnaise-like" fragile seafloor found at the construction site in Oura Bay. He pointed out that there is no equipment capable of doing the necessary ground reinforcement work, implanting tens of thousands of sand piles in the seafloor as deep as 90 meters below the water surface. He also noted that the Okinawa Defense Bureau had stopped surveying the most fragile seafloor point for unknown reasons. He questioned the feasibility of the Henoko base construction project.

Watch Dr. Kamao's presentation in English
(In March 2021, Dr. Kamao made this presentation for the Okinawa prefectural government's Washington D.C. Office. The content of his keynote speech at the Henoko-Oura Bay Symposium is similar to this presentation)

The second Keynote Speaker was Dr. Mariko ABE of the Natural Conservation Society of Japan. She explained the rich biodiversity of Henoko-Oura Bay, where 5,300 marines species, including 262 endangered species such as dugongs and blue coral, strive to survive. She described how Henoko-Oura Bay had garnered international attention through a network of marine biologists and environmental NGOs. She explained how all that led Mission Blue to designate "Henoko-Oura Bay Coastal Waters" as Japan's first HOPE SPOT.

Panel Discussion and Governor's Closing Speech
Following the keynote speeches, Dr. Tatsuo NAKAI of Kokushikan University discussed the diverse marine topography of Henoko-Oura Bay, which provides the foundation for Henoko-Oura Bay's biodiversity. He introduced his research team's recent study on the rare limestone structures found at Nagashima Island next to the construction site. (Asahi Shimbun https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14416152) Dr. Yoshihisa FUJITA of the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts discussed his experience of finding new crustacean species at Oura Bay and emphasized the importance of conducting more research in the area.

I, Hideki Yoshikawa, was also a panelist. As a citizen of Nago city, a member of environmental NGOs, and an anthropologist, I discussed the significance of the HOPE SPOT designation of Henoko-Oura Bay Coastal Waters in relation to the civil society's global conservation movement. I emphasized the need for citizens' innovative deliberation of their views of the base construction as environmental, peace, democracy, human rights, daily lives, and geopolitical issues. I also draw attention to the fact that the issues of the fragile seafloor had not been made into reports in any detailed or meaningful manner of the U.S. Congressional Research Services, the Government Accountability Office, and the Department of Defense. I called on the Okinawa prefectural government to find a way to present the information to those with decision-making power in the U.S. government.

Governor Denny Tamaki closed the symposium with his upbeat speech. Taking on my call, he told the online audience that the Okinawa prefectural government would surely inform the U.S. counterparts of the details of the fragile seafloor. He reiterated his determination to stop the base construction and protect the environment of Henoko-Oura Bay for generations to come.  

Concluding Notes
For the last couple of years, doubt has been expressed about the feasibility and legitimacy of the Henoko project by U.S. think tanks (e.g., Center for Strategic & International Studies)and military officials (e.g., Dr. Robert Eldridge).  Indeed, since landfill work started about three years ago, only 8 percent of its work has been completed. It is all on the Henoko side, where its shallow waters and stable seafloor make landfill work relatively easy. The Japanese government's unwillingness to admit the infeasibility of the project is leading to an environmental calamity, dismay of democracy, a strategic debacle, and a critical fracture in the U.S. and Japan relationship. The U.S. government must know the details of the mayonnaise-like seafloor and needs to take the initiative to stop this insane project. Why? Because this is a U.S. military base.

Hideki Yoshikawa

Director 

Okinawa Environmental Justice Project