Kan refuses to reassess ambient impact around new base

Japan Press Weekly

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Kan refuses to reassess ambient impact around new base

The government on October 12 decided not to conduct another environmental impact assessment (EIA) even if MV-22 Ospreys are to be deployed to a new base at Henoko in Okinawa’s Nago City.

The Kan government has made this clear in its response to a written-inquiry from Upper House representative Itokazu Keiko of Okinawa.

In the written-reply, the Kan Cabinet states that more EIAs are “unnecessary” even if flight paths around the new base are changed associated with the possible deployment of MV-22 Ospreys to the new base planned to be constructed as an alternative to the U.S. Futenma air base in Okinawa’s Ginowan City.

The existing EIA was carried out in preparation for the transfer of helicopters from the Futenma base to the new site in Henoko, not under condition of the assignment of Ospreys, the aircraft very different from helicopters in type and in noise emissions.

The U.S. administration has recently indicated that it had already informed Japan of the plan to deploy the Osprey aircraft in Japan. Japan hid this fact from Okinawans but admitted to the possibility of the deployment due to the recent U.S. disclosure. However, the government is still claiming that the Osprey deployment is not confirmed.

Fearing an increase in noise levels, many Okinawans are calling for another EIA to be conducted.

- Akahata, October 13, 2010