okinawa

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

New U.S. base plan will do endanger a rare species

A new U.S. Marine Corps base at the coastal area of U.S. Camp Schwab in Okinawa Prefecture, if constructed, will destroy about ten hectares of the habitat of a rare species of dugong in waters off the U.S. military facility.

Defense Agency Director General Nukaga Fukushiro recognized this in answer to a question at the House of Councilors Audit Committee meeting on March 3.

The Japanese Government in its initial plan to construct an on-sea state-of-the-art air base off the Henoko district of Nago City estimated that about 2 or 4 hectares of the dugong's habitat will be destroyed.

Residents, fishermen, and environmentalists are opposing the plan that endangers the rare mammal.
- Akahata, March 4, 2006