Okinawa Defense Bureau suspends construction as crested serpent eagle spotted building nest in area of planned JSDF deployment

Okinawa Defense Bureau suspends construction as crested serpent eagle spotted building nest in area of planned JSDF deployment

A Crested Serpent Eagle


May 10, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Ishigaki – The Okinawa Defense Bureau announced May 9 that during an environmental monitoring survey conducted at the end of April in Hirae, Ishigaki, where the JSDF plans to deploy, the found a crested serpent eagle, a national special natural monument, building a nest in the deployment area. Construction work was temporarily suspended, with the ODB stating, “We would like to resume construction taking into consideration the advice of Ishigaki city and experts, including the measures necessary to protect [the bird].”

According to the ODB and Ishigaki City, the survey, which took place from April 24-26, confirmed activity such as a pair of male birds staking their territory about 400 meters from the construction site, and suspended construction starting April 26. The same day, the ODB informed the city of the situation.

On May 7, recommendations from experts were heard and included advice such as due to the birds’ distance from the construction site, activity that does not create loud sudden machine noises would not be an impediment. The ODB is continuing to listen to experts, and a date to resume construction is still pending.

The city also asked the opinion of a local expert, who largely agreed about the effects of continuing construction. Ishigaki Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama said in an interview May 9, “The suitable thing to do is to ensure that we do not effect breeding.” There has not yet been a request to halt construction altogether.

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

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