April 12, 2014
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2014 April 9 - 15 [ENVIRONMENT]
Court again orders gov’t to open troublemaking dike in 2 months |
Fishermen of the Ariake Sea area (Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Saga, Nagasaki) have long fought in court, claiming that a 7km-long-dike set to separate Isahaya Bay from the outer sea in a state-run project to drain a tideland in the bay is causing massive damage to the local fishery.
Regarding the issue, the Fukuoka High Court in December 2010 issued a final decision ordering the government to open the gate, but the defendant is yet to comply with the order.
The district court this time again condemned the state for continuing to disobey the judicial final order, an act of defiance that is unprecedented in the history of Japanese politics.
Ooga Takehiro from Tara Town in Saga said, “Many laver seaweed producers have suffered hardships since the reclamation project began. I want the minister of fisheries to apologize to us for disregarding the legal order.”
Maeda Chikara from Arao City in Kumamoto said, “I feel proud of myself as a fisherman to have kept fighting in court. My son succeeded to my job so I want the Ariake Sea to return to the way it was.”
Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Nihi Sohei issued a comment stating that the court criticized the state for ignoring the order and that this is a milestone.
Pointing out that fishing rights are an essential basis for fishermen, Nihi said, “It is unforgivable for the Abe administration to continue battling with the local people. I demand that the government swiftly open the drainage gate and give shape to win-win countermeasures for coexistence between fishermen and farmers.”
Past related article:
> State decides not to appeal, Isahaya dike to open [December 16, 2010]
> High court again orders state to open Isahaya Bay dike [December 7, 2010]
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