JCP stands on the side of fishermen calling for cancellation of Isahaya Bay reclamation

Japanese Communist Party has expressed its full support for the Ariake Sea fishermen's call for the cancellation of the controversial government reclamation project of Isahaya Bay which is at the mouth of the Ariake Sea.

The support was expressed by Fuwa Tetsuzo, JCP Central Committee chair, during his speech in a JCP public assembly in Fukuoka City on May 22.

Fuwa said it is completely reasonable for the area's fishermen to call for the sluice gate to be opened, for the reclamation project to be canceled, and for drastic measures to be taken in order to recover the Ariake Sea. He was referring to the meeting fishermen operating on Ariake Sea held on May 13 to make out a strong case for recovering the Ariake Sea.

Fuwa urged the government to take responsible action to revive the Ariake Sea and meet the fishermen's demand.

Fuwa pointed out that the reasons the government has given for the reclamation are totally groundless and even harmful, saying that there is no need for Nagasaki Prefecture to increase farmland, that the bay's reclamation wasn't planned in the beginning to prevent floodings, and that fishermen are seriously affected by poorer harvests of marine products.

He criticized the Koizumi Cabinet for being in favor of promoting the reclamation project. (end)