Japan Press Weekly

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2013 February 13 - 19 [OKINAWA]

Okinawa investigates US helipad construction site in Takae

Okinawa Prefecture on February 13 conducted an inspection of a site for the construction of U.S. military helipads for MV-22 Ospreys in the Takae district of northern Okinawa, where a landslide occurred recently.

The investigation took place in response to residents’ concern that the landslide may have led to the outflow of red soil and caused environmental destruction.

Asked by residents if the risk of landslide could have been projected as the construction site is located in a valley, the officials said that they will investigate and release its findings to the public.

Some raised concerns that the removal and relocation of many rare species at the construction site to different locations may have brought a negative impact on the environment.

The MV-22 Osprey aircraft was conducting low-altitude flight training exercises above the heads of the investigation team. Residents witnessed 8 U.S. servicemen dangling precariously from the flying Osprey.