Japan Press Weekly

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2014 November 12 - 18 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

19 biological societies demand halt to US base construction in Henoko

On November 11, 19 biology-related societies in Japan submitted to the central and the Okinawa Prefectural governments a joint statement demanding an immediate halt to the ongoing preparatory work on the construction of a new U.S. base in the Henoko district in Nago City, Okinawa.

The statement points out that the area of Henoko and Oura Bay boasts one of the highest rates of biodiversity in the world. It stresses that as a signatory of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Japan has a responsibility to conserve the natural environment of the area. If the sea area off Henoko is reclaimed to construct a military base, “the precious natural environment of Henoko will be lost forever,” the statement emphasizes.

It points out that even the Okinawa Defense Bureau admitted that the Henoko district is a habitat for 5,334 marine species, including 262 endangered species.

Stressing that a survey by the 19 biologist groups found an additional 24 species of sea creatures that include 11 new species in the Henoko district, the statement urges the government to survey the area again.