Two weeks ago, Okinawa’s Governor Onaga rescinded permission for the landfilling of Henoko Bay. Today’s announcement by the central government overrides the Governor, who is acting with the support of the Okinawan people, and ignores recent revelations that the Environmental Impact Assessment was not only flawed, but allegedly corrupt.
“This decision is an insult to the people who have worked so hard, for so long, to have their voices heard. It is shocking that the government is failing to protect Japan’s endangered species and trampling over the wishes of so many Okinawans. Any responsible government would press pause, and support a full investigation into this debacle,” said Kazue Komatsubara, Greenpeace Japan Oceans Campaigner.
On 19 October this year, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported that contractors and consultants associated with the proposed construction of the military base in Henoko had made financial “donations” worth 11 million yen, which were accepted by three members of the government committee set up to oversee the EIA process. The Committee and process were set up by the Department of Defense, even though the DoD had a clear vested interest in getting the construction approved.
The Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior is setting sail for Okinawa later this week, after accepting the invitation of local citizens’ groups and politicians for Greenpeace to pay a goodwill visit to the island. Greenpeace has stood with the people fighting the proposed relocation of this military base to Oura Bay in the past, with Greenpeace ships and crew acting in solidarity with local communities in 2005 and 2007, and have been actively working with local groups throughout 2015.
“We stand with the majority of Okinawans who are against the expansion of this base and demand the protection of Henoko Bay and the rare and vulnerable marine life that depends on it.”
Note to editors:
On 27 October, 10 organisations jointly submitted a letter to the Defence Minister Gen. Nakatani, and Tamayo Marukawa, Environment Minister, addressing the flawed nature of the environmental assessment and strongly criticising the environmental monitoring committee, overseeing the landfill work of Henoko-Oura Bay. Those 10 organisations are Greenpeace Japan, Ramsar Network Japan, Friends of the Earth Japan, Nature Conservation Society of Japan, Okinawa and Biodiversity Citizen Network, Okinawa Environmental Network, Save the Dugong Campaign Centre, Henoko relay, No Base in Churaumi and Yanbaru Citizens Group, and Peace Boat.
Media contacts:
Komatsubara Kazue, Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace Japan, +81 (0)80-3002-5502 email: 
Akiko Tsuchiya, Communications Officer, Greenpeace Japan, +81 (0)80-3930-3342 email: 
Greenpeace International Press Desk, 
, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)