Nago City Mayor Toguchi acknowledges Henoko base construction for the first time, stresses need to protect the environment

June 13, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Nago – For the first time since taking office, Mayor Taketoyo Toguchi acknowledged that base construction in Henoko was progressing on June 12, commenting, “I believe that it is progressing with attention being paid to the environment, and I definitely would like it to continue as such,” after being notified by Okinawa Prefecture about land-filling in Oura Bay.

 

Furthermore, he stressed that the facility construction at Henoko was not within city jurisdiction, stating, “The construction, which has been deemed legal, is not something that can be stopped by the authority of Nago City.”

 

During the election, Mayor Toguchi did not take a stance one way or the other regarding the hotly contested base construction issue, saying only that he would, “keep a close eye on the legal proceedings between Okinawa and the Japanese government.”

 

Prior to the Okinawa Defense Bureau’s (ODB) notice to the Okinawa prefectural government that land filling had begun, Toguchi commented, “Starting with the ODB, who issued the notice, I would like to respond properly and in accordance with the law.”

 

It seems that on June 12, Mayor Toguchi had been notified about the August-scheduled land filling by the ODB first, rather than the government of Okinawa.

(English traslation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

 

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