Ishigaki residents demand construction related to JSDF deployment be halted, citing noise pollution and environmental destruction
Joint Representative Hidemasa Uehara (front row, center) reading the Ishigaki citizens’ liaison committee to prevent military base construction on Ishigaki Island’s written demand to halt construction. August 17, Ishigaki City Hall
August 20, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo
Ishigaki – The Ishigaki citizens’ liaison committee to prevent military base construction on Ishigaki Island sent a written demand to the Ministry of Defense and the Okinawa Defense Bureau August 17, demanding that construction cease on a Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) garrison in the neighborhood of Hirae-Omata. The group is protesting that the excavation and rock-demolishing taking place on a former golf course that is part of the planned garrison site is causing noise pollution, damaging everyday life and the surrounding environment.
In the written demand, the community group expressed concern over the garrison “becoming a target,” and the effect the facilities would have on the surrounding waterways and ecosystem. Additionally, they argued that since there was not a local referendum vote on the deployment, the consent of Ishigaki’s residents had not been established. They also expressed their concern over construction workers entering and leaving the island while COVID-19 continues to spread.
With consideration to the Aegis Ashore deployments in Akita and Yamaguchi prefectures, which were scrapped due to concerns over the missiles’ booster stages, the letter indicated, “The surface-to-ship missiles’ boosters [to be deployed at the garrison] would fall over an area where defenseless citizens are living. The missile defense base, which is intended to protect the citizens’ lives, is instead threatening it.”
On August 17, a press conference was held at Ishigaki City Hall, and liaison committee joint representative Tetsuhiro Kinjo pleaded, “The Aegis Ashore initiative was cancelled after heavy local opposition. In Okinawa [construction] unilaterally continues, whether it be in Henoko or in Ishigaki. Since we are citizens just the same, the Ministry of Defense should heed out words seriously, and call of construction.”
Since there is a possibility that construction will also proceed for the portion of the garrison on what was formerly city property, the liaison committee again called for construction to be stopped.
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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