Okinawa Outreach

Nago Mayor visits the US Feb.6-11 / Seminar on Okinawa on Feb 7

2012-02-07T00:42:00.004+09:00

Nago Mayor, Susumu Inamina

In order to make a formal request directly to the United States for the relocation of the Marine Corps Futenma Air Station outside of Okinawa Prefecture and not to Henoko and Oura Bay, Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine will visit Washington DC from February 6 through 11.

In a Ryukyu Shimpo interview (Feb. 6), Inamine expressed that Okinawa's opposition against the plan to relocate Futenma Air Station within Okinawa and the condition of Okinawa have not been delivered clearly enough to the US, and that it would mean a lot for Nago Mayor, a local government head chosen by election, to convey our clearest message that the "Henoko plan is impossible."

His schedule includes:

Feb. 7 Talk at the University of Hawaii's East-West Center in Washington
(see the announcement pasted below)
Meeting with Department of States and Department of Defense

Feb. 8 Meeting with Michael Edward O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings
Institution and Kent E. Calder, Director, Edwin O. Reischauer Center for
East Asian Studies, Johns Hopkins University

Feb. 9 Meeting with Senator Jim Webb and Senator Daniel Inouye, Press
conference.

(Ryukyu Shimpo Feburary 6 in Japanese)

For his determination to visit US, please see this article:
Nago mayor prepared to go on his own visit to the United States in January

(Ryukyu Shimpo November 8, 2011 in English)
See also:
Miyagi Yasuhiro interviews Nago Mayor Inamine Susumu, '“Unacceptable and Unendurable:” Local Okinawa Mayor Says NO to US Marine Base Plan'
(The Asia-Pacific Journal Vol 9, Issue 42 No 2, October 17, 2011)

Below is the announcement for a seminar, which will be held at the The University of Hawaii’s East-West Center in Washington, on Feb 7.

Futenma Relocation: The View From Henoko

The University of Hawaii’s East-West Center in Washington is holding a seminar on Okinawa:

Futenma Relocation: The View from Henoko
Featuring:
Susumu Inamine
Mayor, Nago City, Okinawa, Japan

As the United States reaffirms its defense commitments to Asia and a “pivot” of American policy toward the Asia-Pacific, the matter of base relocation in Okinawa continues to be a contentious issue between Naha, Tokyo, and Washington. Under the 2006 base realignment roadmap agreed between the US and Japanese governments, the Marine Corp Air Station Futenma was to be relocated from its densely populated location near Okinawa’s capital to the more remote Nago City to the north. The local political situation in Nago has shifted against the relocation of the base to the city’s Henoko ward. Futenma remains in place while Japanese officials attempt to find an amicable solution that satisfies both the need for local buy-in and Japan’s security commitments within the US-Japan alliance. Nago City Mayor, Susumu Inamine, will discuss the relocation of MCAS Futenma from the local perspective.
Tuesday, February 7
10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.
East-West Center in Washington
1819 L Street, NW, Washington, DC, Sixth Floor Conference Room
This event is free and open to the public.
To RSVP, please click here:http://www.eastwestcenter.org/l59
Kindly send your reply by February 6.
Susumu Inamine was elected Mayor of Nago City, Okinawa in February 2010 after serving as a city official for 36 years. He graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of the Ryukyus, in 1971, and began working in the Welfare Division of the Nago City Office the following year. Throughout his career as a civil servant, Mr. Inamine worked in numerous departments and capacities, including serving as the Director of Planning and Coordination, the Manager of the General Affairs Department, and the chairman of the Nago City Board of Education. He resigned from his position on the school board in 2008 to run as an independent candidate for mayor, on the platform of opposition to the proposed relocation of the Futenma air base to Nago City’s Henoko district.
The East-West Center
The East-West Center in Washington
www.eastwestcenter.org/about-ewc/help/email-updates/
The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the US Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options.

Photographer Mr.Makishi talks Naｔural Wonders in Okinawa at Busboys and Poets event on Jan 23

2012-01-22T22:59:00.000+09:00

At the first event for “Making Okinawan Voices Heard in the US” Delegation, "Close the U.S. Military Bases in Okinawa, Japan" on Jan 23, 2012 at Busboys and Poets, Osamu Makishi, freelance photographer talks " A Message from Natural Wonders of Henoko and Oura Bay：　Don’t build the Military Base here!" as a representative from Citizens' Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa.

Mr. Makishi voluntarily guides by the boat Henoko/Oura Sea, the proposed area of reclamation for a massive US military base, for visitors to Henoko Tent Village where Okinawan people have been waging sit- in protest. In his spare time, he takes pictures of precious creatures in waters of Henoko/Oura Bay.

Polyps of blue coral welcome anemone fish in Oura Bay.
Photo: Makishi Osamu

Since last August, Mr. Makishi has been working as a Coordinator, Blue Coral Reef Working Group of Citizens' Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa on protecting Oura/Henoko Bay. As one of their project, in January, he held a photo exhibition "A Walk Along the Sea in Okinawa" at Nago City, to raise awareness of the fragile ecosystem and its beauty of Henoko/Oura Bay.

At the event on Jan 23, he will give a talk with his beautiful pictures of unique and rare species.

Please join Busboys and Poets, Washington D.C. on Jan.23 (Please see the below for details).

Ms. Keiko Itokazu, National Diet Member, will talk an outline of US bases in Okinawa and the damages to women caused by US bases. And Mr. Ikemiyagi, lawyer, will make a presentation on Kadena Air Bases's noise pollution and their lawsuit seeking to stop nighttime flights, of which plaintiffs amount to about 22,000.

“Nimo” or clown anemone fish Photo: Makishi Osamu

"Close the U.S. Military Bases in Okinawa, Japan"

Date: January 23, 2011

Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Place: Langston Room @ Busboys and Poets, 14th & V st N.W. Washington D.C.

http://www.busboysandpoets.com/events.php

Speakers:

　　Ms. Keiko Itokazu, Member of Japanese National Diet
　　Mr. Osamu Makishi, Citizens’ Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa
　　Mr. Toshio Ikemiyagi, Leading attorney of the lawsuit for
the Kadena Air Base’s noise pollution

Moderator:
Mr. John feffer, Institute for Policy Studies

U.S. military bases in Okinawa have been the source of dramatic controversy in Japan and the US for decades. Many in Okinawa have criticized US bases for the dangers they pose, including military accidents, environmental and health damage, and crimes committed by US military personnel--most infamously, the 1995 rape of a 12-year-old girl.

Contact:
John Feffer, Institute for Policy Studies
1112 16th Street, NW Washington, DC, 20036
Phone: 202-234-9382 E-mail: johnf[at mark]ips-dc.org

Event Schedule：Washington Delegation from Okinawa

2012-01-21T17:55:00.000+09:00

1)"Close the U.S. Military Bases in Okinawa, Japan"

Date: January 23, 2011

Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Place: Langston Room @ Busboys and Poets, 14th & V st N.W. Washington D.C.

http://www.busboysandpoets.com/events.php

Speakers:
　　Ms. Keiko Itokazu, Member of Japanese National Diet
　　Mr. Osamu Makishi, Citizens’ Network for Okinawan Biodiversity
　　Mr. Toshio Ikemiyagi, Leading attorney of the lawsuit for
the Kadena Air Base’s noise pollution
Moderator:
Mr. John feffer, Institute for Policy Studies

U.S. military bases in Okinawa have been the source of dramatic controversy in Japan and the US for decades. Many in Okinawa have criticized US bases for the dangers they pose, including military accidents, environmental and health damage, and crimes committed by US military personnel--most infamously, the 1995 rape of a 12-year-old girl.
Contact:
John Feffer, Institute for Policy Studies
1112 16th Street, NW Washington, DC, 20036
Phone: 202-234-9382 E-mail: johnf@ips-dc.org

2)Occupy DC Tour, Information Exchange, Teach-In

Date: January 25, Wednesday.
Time: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
　 (time tentative)
Place: McPherson Square
　
In Okinawa, protesters have been conducting vigils and sit-ins at proposed base relocation sites for over 7 years. Occupy Wall Street and Occupy DC have pursued similar tactics. Members of the delegation will present background information about their struggle to close U.S. military bases. This is an opportunity for dialogue and information exchange between the Okinawan delegation and Occupy protesters.

3)LIVING WITH BASES IN OKINAWA
Date: January 25, Wednesday
Time: 7-9pm
Place: Butler Board Room
College of Arts and Sciences & Department of Anthropology
American University

US bases in Okinawa have been the source of controversy in Japan and the US for decades. Many have criticized US bases for the dangers they pose, including military accidents, environmental and health damage, and crimes committed by US military personnel. Come meet a delegation of Okinawan students, scholars, activists, and politicians campaigning to close the Futenma base and be part of a dialogue about US-Okinawan-Japanese relations.

4)Press Conference

Date: January 26, Thursday

Time: 5:30-

Place National Press Club (room # 1093) 529 14th Street N.W. D.C.,20045

Members of the delegation will issue a statement to the press re: their visit to DC.
Mr. Tokushin Yamauchi, Member of Japanese Parliament
　Ms. Ms. Keiko Itokazu, Member of Japanese Parliament
　Lawyers, prefectural legislators, peace and environmental activists, and students from Okinawa, Japan
Live streaming will be available.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/iwakamiyasumi4

　（IWJ：Web Iwakami CH4)

Announcing the January 2012 Washington Delegation from Okinawa: “Making Okinawan Voices Heard in America”

2012-01-21T01:05:00.001+09:00

Announcing the January 2012 Washington Delegation from Okinawa:

“Making Okinawan Voices Heard in America”

This article announces details of the delegation that will depart Okinawa on Japan Airlines on the morning of January 21st at 9:30 AM from Naha Airport in the Domestic Terminal on the third floor.

Please join us to give the delegation a proper send off.

Their work in Washington, DC will commence on Monday, January 23 and cease on Thursday, January 26, 2012. The scheduled details of the meetings and the associated events in Washington will be announced soon. The delegation is comprised of politicians, lawyers, activists and students from Okinawa, Japan. The members will speak out various issues deriving from the presence of US military and advocate for the closure of U.S. military base Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Futenma and for the immediate stop of the two new military base construction plans.

Send-off Meeting on January 15 Photo: Yukiko Okamoto

Purpose of Visit:

To promote awareness of enduring military base problems on Okinawa, Japan, and to propose the closure and consolidation of the 34 military installations on Okinawa as part of Congressional deficit-reduction plans to reduce defense spending by $1 trillion over the next ten years. The U.S. military built up its network of bases on the island by forcibly appropriating villages, homes and farmland in the wake of the Battle of Okinawa sixty-seven years ago. Highlighting the most critical problems facing Okinawans today, the delegation will demand:

1. The closure and return of U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station. Often referred to as the most dangerous base in the world, Futenma’s continued operations in densely populated residential areas of Ginowan City violate both US and Japanese safety standards. Planned deployment of the accident-prone MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft to Futenma in 2012 faces strong opposition across Okinawa.

2. The cancellation of plans to construct a new Marine Corps air base at Cape Henoko, which involves massive land reclamation of a beautiful coral reef marine ecosystem and the habitat of the critically endangered Okinawa dugong (sea manatee).

3. The reduction of unbearable noise caused by air operations at Kadena Air Base, and the withdrawal of any proposal to integrate Futenma’s helicopter squadrons into Kadena’s operations. Kadena is already the subject of a lawsuit filed by 22,000 plaintiffs seeking to terminate nighttime flight operations at the base.

4. An end to the construction of six new helipads in the Yanbaru forest in northern Okinawa. This construction will result in the permanent destruction of forestland said to be comparable to a World Natural Heritage site, as well as the erosion of the quality of life for local residents of Takae.

5. The revision of the U.S.-Japan Status Of Forces Agreement, which will be demanded in particular by family members of Mr. Koki Yogi, who was killed by a civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force in January, 2011. The U.S.-Japan SOFA routinely obstructs fair trials and favors U.S. military and civilian personnel who commit crimes in Japan. Such crimes, which occur on a weekly basis, include fatal driving incidents, residential break-ins, taxi robberies, sexual violence, and other serious crimes against local citizens.

Dates of visit:

Monday, January 23, 2012 – Thursday, January 26, 2012

Delegation Members:

Chairperson: Mr. Tokushin Yamauchi (member of House of Councilors)
Vice-chairpersons: Ms. Keiko Itokazu (member of House of Councilors), Ms. Suzuyo Takazato (representative of Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence), Mr. Hiroshi Ashitomi (representative of the Council Opposing the Helicopter Base)

Executive Director: Mr. Satoshi Tamanaha (Chairperson of Okinawa-ken High School Teachers and Staff Union)

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly members: Ms. Kyoko Higa, Mr. Taiga Teruya, Ms. Sueko Yamauchi
Municipal Assembly members: Mr. Isao Tobaru (Ginowan City), Mr. Takuma Higashionna (Nago City), Ms. Satoko Taira (Naha City), Mr. Naoya Kuwae (Okinawa City), Mr. Masaharu Teruya (Chatan Village)

Attorney at Law: Mr. Toshio Ikemiyagi (representative of Kadena Aircraft Noise Lawsuit Plaintiff’s Group)

Represented organizations: Okinawa Peace Network、Council Opposing the Helicopter Base, Kadena Aircraft Noise Lawsuit Plaintiff’s Group,Futenma Aircraft Noise Lawsuit Plaintiff’s Group、No Helipad Takae Resident Society,Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence, Citizens’ Network for　Biodiversity in Okinawa], Yogi Family Support Group, Project Disagree, Okinawa-ken High School Teachers and Staff Union, Ginowan City Labor Union

Contact:

John Feffer, Institute for Policy Studies: johnf@ips-dc.org, 202.234.9382 (English)

Ryota Moriki, delegation member, 81-90-9782-7823 (Japanese)

Notes on Okinawa Defense Bureau's Sneaky Delivery of EIA

2012-01-04T12:21:00.004+09:00

The Okinawa Defense Bureau’s (ODB) sneaky delivery of the Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for the planned US military base construction in Henoko/Oura Bay at the closing of the year 2011 has widened the rift between Okinawa and the Japanese government.

Protesters with Dugongs at Pref. Government Building.

Sneaky Delivery and Government Reactions

Placed under pressure by the US government to show progress for the relocation plan of Futenma Air Station before the end of 2011, the ODB came to the Okinawa prefectural government building to deliver 24 copies of the EIS at 4 am on December 28, the last working day of year for public offices in Japan (Ryukyu Shimpo Dec. 29, 2011).

They dropped off 16 copies at the security office on the ground floor, and then as one protester approached them, they fled the building, failing to deliver the remaining copies and sign the necessary delivery forms.

The OBD resorted to this drop and flee tactic because their attempts the day before were blocked by protesters, and also because any physical confrontation between the OBD and protesters could spell disaster for the construction plan.

The Japanese Defense Minster Yasuo Ichikawa regarded the delivery as progress, commenting that the ODB’s tactics “could not be helped” (Mainich Japan Dec. 28, 2011). The US government was reported to “hail” the submission “significant progress” (Mainichi Japan Dec. 29, 2011)

Meanwhile, the Japanese government downplayed the significance of the protest at the government building, portraying the whole incident as a case of angry anti-base protesters from the street blocking the lawful submission of the EIS (Mainichi Japan Dec. 28, 2011). Some media outlets also repeated the government’s stance on the incident (see for example Sankei Dec.28, 2011).

Who are the Protesters?

A close look at the political context of the sneaky delivery and who the protesters were at the prefectural government building points to the extent and significance of Okinawa’s protest.

The ODB’s delivery took place amidst the growing protest by “all Okinawa”, citizens and politicians from various parties and affiliations, against the base construction plan (see Ryukyu Shimpo Dec. 20, 2011).

Governor HIrokazu Nakaima has repeatedly insisted that he opposes the present relocation plan and the Futenma Air Station should be relocated “outside Okinawa” since he won the gubernatorial election with a (relocating Futenma) “outside Okinawa” platform. The Okinawa prefectural assembly and other municipal assemblies in Okinawa have issued Ikensho (Written Opinions) against the construction plan (see Okinawa Times Feb. 24, 2010). Even municipal assemblies in mainland Japan have issued similar ikensho (see Ryukyu Shimpo Oct. 10, 2011).

In light of the growing urgency that the ODB would submit EIS to meet the US government’s demand, the prefectural assembly submitted ikensho against the submission of the EIS in November 2011 (Ryukyu Shimpo Nov.11, 2011). Other municipal assemblies in Okinawa followed the prefectural assembly by issuing similar ikensho.

Thus, the protesters gathering at the government building were not only anti-base citizens from the street, but also Diet members and prefectural and municipal assembly members as well. In fact, after 16 copies of the EIS were delivered to the security office, it was Diet members, Tokushin Yamauchi, Keiko Itokazu, Kantoku Teruya, and Akamine Sieken, who spearheadedly took turns around the clock to guard the delivered copies in the office.

Protesters including Diet member T. Yamauchi wait for Gov. Nakaima

Also, it was both politicians (Diet members and prefectural assembly members) and leaders of citizens groups who participated in a series of intense discussions with the Okinawa prefectural government officials as to how the prefectural government should handle the delivery.

When tired Governor Nakaima appeared in front of about 150 protesters occupying the 6^th floor around 7:30 pm after a long day of December 28, 2011, it was in symbolic significance that Masaru Shiroma, a leader of a citizen group, took the center stage to question Governor Nakaima while Tokushin Yamauchi, Diet member, stood along with Shiroma.

Governor Nakaima explained that since the Okinawa prefecture, as an executive office, cannot deny activities carried out by other government offices according to law, "it has no choice but accept the delivery." He reiterated that he remains opposed to the construction plan and he will refuse to give permission for reclamation of the waters in Henoko/Oura Bay (Okinawa Times Dec. 29, 2012). However, he was not able to go into details of the legality of the delivery and EIS.

A New Stage of the Base Construction and Questions

As of January 3, 2012 in Okinawa, the chaotic situation created by the ODB’s sneaky delivery still continues. Given that the ODB has only delivered 16 copies while the prefectural ordinance requires a delivery of 24 copies and that they came at 4 am and there were no record of receiving the EIS at the security office, the legality of the submission is still unclear. In fact, people are still holding a vigil in front of the security office at the government building, trying to block submission of the remaining copies of the EIS (Okinawa Times Jan. 3, 2012).

The situation is however expected to become a bit clearer tomorrow as government offices resume to work for the year 2012.

With that said, two relating questions now call out.

First, how does the US government ACTUALLY evaluate the ODB’s delivery of the EIS and the entire Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) process? While hailing the delivery “significant progress”, the Obama administration on December 31, 2011 signed a bill into law that freezes funding for the transfer of US Marines to Guam from Okinawa, which was an important piece of the Futenma relocation plan (Mainichi Japan Jan. 1, 2012). Apparently, the ODB’s delivery was not significant enough for President Obama to refuse to sign the bill. And, judging from all the indications so far, the US government is likely to face a tough time in convincing itself of the validity of the ODB’s “no impact on the environment” conclusion.

Second, how will the Okinawa prefectural government review the EIS and what comments will Governor Nakaima make on the EIS? Although Nakaima has not made it clear, the Governor’s comments are likely to include reference to Nakaima’s stance that the Futenma Air Station should be relocated outside Okinawa (Okinawa Times Dec.27, 2011). Moreover, as the EIS is reported to contain new information such as the spotting of an endangered dugong just off Henoko (Ryukyu Shimpo Dec. 29, 2011), the Governor’s comments are likely to challenge the ODB’s “no impact on the environment” conclusion.

That means, even if the ODB tries to proceed with the EIA process, the prolongation of the process may be unavoidable.

If that's the case, then, would the US demand that the EIA process be completed by a time line the US government imposes upon, without taking into account the flaws of the EIA, as with the case of the submission of the EIS? Then, what would be Okinawa's response?

Nago City Mayor Inamine Susumu’s response to the sneaky delivery of the EIS is compelling and has important implications: “As I have insisted that I will not allow base construction on the land or in the sea, as far as Nago city is concerned, regardless of the contents of the EIS, the EIS is irrelevant” (Ryukyu Simpo Dec.29, 2011).

Once envisioned as a democratic and scientific means of creating consensus among stakeholders, the Japanese EIA has been hijacked and turned into a political vehicle with which the ODB has forced the base construction plan forward. More and more citizens and politicians of Okinawa are now convinced, if Okinawa’s democratic consensus against the base construction is to prevail, this political vehicle itself must be rejected first.

H. Y.

Okinawa Defense Bureau to submit EIS

2011-12-26T08:36:00.109+09:00

Amid Okinawa’s strong opposition, the Okinawa Defense Bureau (OBD) will submit its Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for the planned US base in Henoko/Oura Bay on December 26 to show Washington that the construction plan is on the right track as promised, according to the Ryukyu Shimpo (Ryukyu Shimpo, 2011.12.26)

Camp Schwab Fence or "Henoko Peace/No Base Gallery" from Henokohama Tsushin blog

As for ODB's EIA for Henoko plan, please see our previous article here.

By having the ODB submitting its EIS just before the New Year's season, the Japanese can rob the Okinawa prefectural government of precious time for preparation of "Governor's Comments" on the EIS while distracting the media's attention to the base construction issues. According to the EIA law and ordinance, Governor's Comments for the airport plan should be issued within 45 days after the submission of EIS while for the reclamation plan they should be issued within 90 days.

The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly and municipal assemblies on the islands have adopted resolutions protesting against the submission of the EIS.

On the Street, citizens' groups stage protest rallies everyday against the ODB's submission of EIS and the Japanese government's handling of the base construction issues. Citizens also held rally on December 19 in front of the US Consulate in Urasoe City, criticizing the US government for "interfering" in domestic affairs.

Rally held in front of the US consulate on Dec.19. The banner says to the US, "Don't put pressure on GoJ to submitt EIS for Henoko! " photo: Yukiko Okamoto

Also, a coalition of citizens groups held a press conference at the Okinawa prefectural government building on December 22, announcing that they will form a vigilant team in front of the government building from December 26 through 28. They will attempt to pursuade ODB officals not to submit the EIS when they come to the prefectural government office. If that fails, the coalition would attempt to physically block the submission. (article on their press conference Okinawa Times Dec.22 ).

Meanwhile, facing the passage of a defense authorization bill for fiscal 2012, which could cut $ 150 million funding for the planned transfer of 8,000 US Marines from Okinawa to Guam, Washington desperately needs the Japanese government to proceed with the EIA for the base construction. The US consulate Naha on December 14, tweeted on the internet, "US Government's stance toward the Congress's decision on funding for Guam relocation has not changed. We, however, still have a lot of things to do to retake the budget. To return the land South of Kadena, including Futenma, we need the funding for Guam relocation「米議会のグアム移転費に関する合意ついては（ママ）、米政府の見解には変わりはありませんが、予算を再度確保するにはまだ沢山やるべき事があります。普天間を含む嘉手納以南の基地を返還するためにはあのグアム移転費は必要です。」)". (, with the link of Asahi Shinbun's article on Dec.14.here,which reports DoD's pressure on Japan to submit EIA.

As the Japan Times stated,however, the emerging consensus is that "Futenma base relocation has little hope left" (Japan Times, Dec.16).

If the ODB submits the EIS, despite Okianwan people's strong protest, it will send a message that the Japanese government disregards its own EIA law and violates democracy. That could push the already fragile relationship between Okinawa and the Japanese and US governments to the breaking point.

People protested against former ODB chief's "rape"remarks
with a banner saying, "To submit the EIS is to commit a crime"
Photo from Project Disagree blog.

Why Is Japan’s Environment Impact Assessment a Prior-Warning to “Raping”?

2011-12-10T20:35:00.023+09:00

Protest Rally at Okinawa Defense Bureau ©S. Taira

Outrage erupted and swept through Okinawa after “rape” remarks by Satoshi Tanaka, Chief of the Okinawa Defense Bureau, were made public, first in a local newspaper, The Ryukyushimpo on November 29, and later in other media outlets in Japan.

In an off-the-record drinking session with media members, Tanaka reportedly likened the government’s lack of a clear schedule for submission of its Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for the US military base construction in Henoko/Oura Bay to raping of a woman. He was quoted saying “Would you give a prior warning when you are about to rape someone?"(click).

While Tanaka was immediately sacked from his position for his appalling remarks, protest against his remarks and demands for scraping the base construction plan have been mounting in Okinawa. Through Tanaka’s remarks, people in Okinawa are reminded of what they have known for years: the construction of the military base will lead to the destruction of the environment and people’s life.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government has been trying hard to placate the outrage, sending cabinet members on apology tours to Okinawa and displaying in Tokyo their own versions of “outrage” against Tanaka’s remarks (click). The government insists however that it still plans to submit the EIS by the end of this year, showing its determination to proceed with the construction plan.

That has in turn invoked further outrage in Okinawa and beyond. Okinawa’s objection to the base construction plan appears stronger than ever.

While the situation is still intensifying, many people outside Okinawa are probably left wondering with one simple question: Why Is Japan’s Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) considered a prior warning to “raping”? This question warrants explanations.

Environment Impact Assessment: Means for Environment Protection or "Rubber Stamp" for Base Construction

According to the Ministry of the Environment, which oversees Japan's EIA, the objective of EIA is “to consider environmental protection properly by establishing a procedure for the EIA of large-scale projects and reflecting the assessment results in the decision-making” (click). If that objective had been followed, Tanaka could not have made these remarks. Nor would submission of the EIS have received such furious objection from Okinawa as it has (click).

Blue Coral in Oura Bay ©T. Higashionna

The area of Henoko/Oura Bay is extremely rich in biodiversity (click) and it is a critical habitat of the dugong, an endangered species and Japan’s “natural monument” protected by various laws and treaties. These facts alone should have closed any possibilities of constructing a massive military base in the area at the outset of the EIA process.

Dubbed as awasemento or “adjust-ment”, however, the Japanese EIA system, both law and ordinances, is often considered as nothing more than a formality or "rubber stamp" to carry forward projects. With the proponent of a project conducting EIA, methods and data could be “adjusted” through the stages of “survey” “forecast” and “evaluation” to give go ahead signal for the project.

The Okinawa Defense Bureau's EIA for the base construction is “the worst" of such ‘adjust-ments’" argued Yasuo Shimazu, a foremost expert on EIA in Japan (click). Sakurai Kunitoshi, former president of Okinawa University and EIA expert, claimed that "the Henoko EIA is not an EIA" (click).

The evidence is clear and abundant, starting with the fact that the Japanese government deployed the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's Bungo minesweepr to "assist" a pre-EIA survey of the waters of Henoko/Oura Bay in May 2007 (click). The survey had been criticized as "illegal" by those who opposed the construction plan and protests were taking place on the ground and waters at that time.

The Bureau’s Scoping Document submitted in August 2007 failed to provide details of the construction plan to the extent that the Okinawa prefectural government refused to recognize it as legitimate and did not provide a space within its building for public viewing of the document (click).

The underwater video cameras and passive sonars, supposedly set up for surveying dugongs, were instead suspected of obstructing the dugongs from entering their feeding grounds.

The Draft Environment Impact Statement (EIS) submitted in April 2009 was questioned and criticized for drawing a hasty conclusion that the dugongs no longer inhabit in Henoko so that the construction of the base would not have impact on dugongs (click for comments by Toshio Kasuya, expert on marine mammals, provided during a hearing of the Okinawa Prerectural EIA Review Committee). It was pointed out that the conclusion was based solely upon the fact that the Bureau’s EIA surveys could not find dugong feeding trails in Henoko. The Draft EIS failed to explain why the Bureau’s surveys could not find feeding trails when the seagrass beds of Henoko remain the largest in Okinawa and previous researchers had no problem finding dugong feeding trails there.

Despite these and many other flaws, the EIA process has been moving forward, proving that it is in fact a vehicle to carry out the base construction.

Environment Impact Statement and (Silent) Ministry of the Environment
It is feared that, when its final Environment Impact Statement is submitted (EIS), in which problems are “addressed” and mitigation measures "provided" regardless of their effectiveness, that will signal the end of the EIA process and the beginning of a next stage in the construction plan (click).

The pressure will be then on Governor Hirokazu Nakaima, who has the authority to give permission for reclamation of the coastal water area of Henoko/Oura Bay for the base construction. While firmly remaining opposed to the construction plan, when all the procedural formalities of EIA have been met, Nakaima is likely to face difficulties in refusing to give permission, especially on the legal ground (click).

Curiously, in this process of the EIA, the Ministry of the Environment has remained silent. Being one of the least powerful ministries in the government and having to face the powerful Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense in Japan's tatewari gyosei or “vertical administration” system, the Ministry of the Environment appears extremely self-restrained (or self-protective).

Okinawa Dugongs ©Ministry of the Environment

The Ministry has maintained that since the Okinawa Defense Bureau is following the EIA procedural formalities, it does not have much to say about the Bureau's EIA. In a meeting with the Save the Dugong Campaign Center just one day before Tanaka's remarks, the Ministry expressed that it had no plan to make public comments on the Bureau's final EIS although it did not rule out possibilities of discussing with the Bureau about the EIS (click).

In this context, Tanaka’s appalling remarks make it plain: with the Ministry of the Environment relegated to the status of silent bystander, the Okinawa Defense Bureau’s EIA never leads to a stoppage or reconsideration of the base construction. As a precursor to “raping,” it only leads to destruction of the environment and people’s life.

Tanaka’s Remarks and Two Environment Lawsuits

Ironically, it may be Takana’s remarks that could alter the course of the base construction plan. First of all, the politics of outrage and apology over his remarks is now pushing the Japanese government into an extremely difficult and delicate position to proceed with the plan. In fact, any further missteps by the Japanese government toward Okinawa could spell disaster for the US and Japan relationship itself.

Rally for Henoko Assessment Lawsuit ©SDCC

Secondly, Tanaka’ remarks have the potential to critically influence two lawsuits now under way. One of them is the “Henoko Assessment Lawsuit” filed by more than 600 people against the Okinawa Defense Bureau in the Naha District Court in Okinawa (click). This lawsuit challenges the legality of the Bureau’s EIA, and witness examinations will take place sometime early next year.

The other one is the “Dugong Lawsuit” filed by Okinawan, Japanese and US individuals and NGOs in the US Federal District Court in San Francisco, CA (click). The ruling delivered in January 2008 obliges the US Department of Defense (DoD) to examine the “scope” and “range” of the Okinawa Defense Bureau's EIA in order to determine how and to what extent the DoD can incorporates the results of the Defense Bureau’s EIA in its own compliance process with the National Historic Preservation Act. It is expected that, as soon as the Okinawa Defense Bureau submits its Environment Impact Statement, the DoD will begin examination of the EIA.

It would be difficult for those involved in the lawsuits to ignore or dismiss as a blunder Tanaka’s remarks equating the Okinawa Defense Bureau’s EIA to raping. After all, Tanaka was Chief of the Bureau that has been conducting the EIA. Tanaka's remarks should warrant careful examinations of the EIA, its contents and the way it has been conducted.

And finally, in light of Tanaka’s remarks, it would be also be difficult for the Ministry of the Environment to remain silent. Pressure from Okinawa, Japan and international communities could compel the Ministry to make comments on Tanaka’s remarks and on the Bureau’s EIA, which should in turn have important implications for the lawsuits.

How the lawsuits unfold, how the Ministry of the Environment conducts itself, and how these developments on the environment front influence the overall politics of outrage and apology over Tanaka's remarks and the base construction plan remain to be seen. It is clear however that Tanaka’s appalling remarks have laid bare the destructive nature of the base construction plan while rending the plan highly improbable.

H.Y.
Contents of some of the web links provided above are in Japanese.

Save Takae ! Voice your opposition to the resumed US helipad construction !

2011-11-20T21:42:00.004+09:00

Photo:Takae People’s Blog, ”What is going on in Takae, Higashi village”

On November 15, the Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB) returned to Takae in the Yanbaru forest to resume the construction of six new helipads for US military for the first time in 8 months.

According to Yamashiro Hiroji, a sit-in protester, about 70 people including 30 OBD staff members and 30 security guards showed up around 10:18 am in front of the Gate of N-4 Point with heavy machinery, demanding that the local residents and their supporters make way for them to resume the construction work.

Shortly after arrival of the ODB, about 40 people from various parts of Okinawa came to join the local residents and their supports to stage a larger sit-in protest against the ODB's move.

The stand-off between the two sides became intensified as several construction crew members sneaked into the construction site. With the machinery kept outside the construction site, however, the ODB was unable to do much work.

On November 16 and 17, ignoring the local residents and supporters' protest and call for dialogue, the ODB again returned to Takae in attempts to resume the construction work with force. They were however kept outside the construction site by the local residents and their supporters and were not able to conduct much work. (Okinawa local TV QAB's report [in Japanese] on Nov.17 is here).

Isa Masatsugu, one of the members of No Helipad Takae Resident Society, said, "It is unacceptable that ODB resumed the construction work while the [Takae] lawsuit is still pending"[About Takae lawsuit, see the information pasted below] (Okinawa Times, Nov.16, 2011). He also said, " I can't understand why it is now that they came to resume the construction. I assume that they want to demonstrate to the US and Japanese governments that they are proceeding with their work" (Ryukyu Shimpo, Nov. 16).

In the background of Isa's comment is a political context that the Japanese government is now facing deadlock in implementing the SACO agreement. In particular, while Tokyo wants to push forward the new US base construction plan at Henoko/Oura Bay by submitting Environment Impact Statement by the end of this year, Okinawa Govenor, Okinawa Assembly, Diet members from Okinawa and peace and environmental groups all strongly oppose the construction plan.

Since it is unlikely that the Japanese government can get Okinawan people's acceptance, they are now placed under increasing pressure to show Washington they are moving forward steadily in implementing SACO. (Regarding EIS, please see this Japan Times article "Ichikawa adds new Futenma hurdle:Defense chief now says Okinawa must approve base move before getting environmental report")

Photo: Blog Yuntaku Takae

Meanwhile, on November 16, to protest against the Japanese government's treatment of Okinawa and to show solidarity with Takae, supporters, including members of Committee against Construction of US Military Base in Henoko, Yuntaku Takae and Citizens' Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa, held a demonstration in front of the building of the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo.

We would like to call for your attention and action to support Takae people.
Here are what you can do:

・Check Takae blog (in Japanese) and Okinawa Outreach Facebook Group for update on Helipad construction in Takae.

・Spread update on Takae to make the issue known to the world.

・Express your objection to the construction of helipads in Takae by writing to the Okinawa Defense Bureau and the Japanese government.

- Japan Ministry of Defense

infomod[at mark]mod.go.jp

-Okinawa Defense Bureau

Fax: 81-(0)98-921-8168

・Write to Takae people. Your words will encourage Takae people to keep on with their struggle to protect Yanbaru forest and their life. You can leave your comment on their blog.

[Information on Takae]

- Here is the youtube video clip of "Message from Yanbaru" with English subtitles (about 10 minutes). It is a short documentary on Takae's nature, people's life, and their struggle to stop US helipad construction.

- As for details of helipad construction and Yanbaru forest, please see the excerpt pasted below from the website of Citizens' Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa (Feb.12, 2011)

[Yanbaru Forest]Located in the northern area of Okinawa Island, the Yanbaru forest (about 26, 000 ha) is one of the richest areas of biodiversity in Japan. It is home to over 1,000 species of highplants and 5,000 species of animals, including numerous indigenous and endemic species such as the endangered Okinawa Woodpecker and Okinawa Rail. It is also home to people who live in small and isolated communities. Takae is one of these communities.

The Okinawa prefectural government promotes the Yanbaru forest as a key areain its efforts to get the Ryukyu Islands designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. The Japanese government announced its intentions to designatethe Yanbaru forest as a national park during the 10th Conference of Parties to the Convention for Biological Diversity (COP10) held recently in Nagoya, Japan.

[Helipad Construction]Since 1957, the US military has been using a large part of the Yanbaru forest for training. Today, 30% of the Yanbaru forest is a US military training area. In thistraining area, there are already 22frequently used US helipads, causing various problems to the environment and the nearby local communities. Thus, since the construction plan was revealed in 1999, local people, NGOs, and expertshave been opposing to the plan and expressing their concerns that the construction of new helipads in the Takae area will certainly further impact the Yanbaru forest and the Takae community.

After conducting its Environment Impact Assessment for the helipad construction plan, the Okinawa Defense Bureau has concluded that the construction and use of the helipads would have no impact on the environment and the community. While local people, NGOs, and scientific/experts have criticized theEIA for its lack of transparency, accuracy, and reliability, the Okinawa Defense Bureau has beenproceeding with the construction plan, based on the EIA’s “no-impact" conclusion.

International voices, meanwhile, have been loud and clear. The International Unionof Conservation for Nature (IUCN) has twice called for conservation of the endangeredOkinawa Woodpaker and Okinawa Rail in the forest. On the occasion of COP10in Nagoya, the Guardian newspaper urged the Okinawa Defense Bureau to “consider alternative sites [for helipad construction] that will not impactOkinawa's unique biodiversity.”

This is why the residents of the Takae community and many others have beenopposing the construction plan and calling for explanation and dialogue with the Okinawa Defense Bureau.（For info on actions taken by local communities, NGOs, and scientific communities, please see the list below).

[Okinawa Defense Bureau Filed Lawsuit]So far, the Okinawa Defense Bureau has shown no willingness to resolve the criticism and concerns. Instead, it has reacted to the local opposition by filing a lawsuit against residents of the Takae community for obstruction of traffic in November 2008, who were engaged in a peaceful sit in protestagainst the helipad construction.
In what many consider a “SLAPP lawsuit,” the court has ordered both the Okinawa Defense Bureau and the local residents to enter negotiation outside of court. Negotiation has not, however, has taken place as the Okinawa Defense Bureau keeps declining to negotiate.
It is in light of these developments that the Okinawa Defense Bureaumarched in and began felling trees in the Takae area of the Yambaruforest and the stand off between the Okinawa Defense Bureau and the protesters has intensified.

-For more English information on Takae is available on:
Voice of Takae (No Helipad Takae Resident Society)
No Military Helipads in Yanbaru Forest (WWF-Japan)

Yanbaru Forest Under Attack ECO vol.36-1. p.13 (Hideki Yoshikawa, Chief Secretariat
Citizens’ Network for Biological Diversity in Okinawa)

---------------------------------------------
mmk & HY

Messages for Full Moon Festival on Nov.12&13

2011-11-12T21:21:00.033+09:00

The year's Full Moon Festival at Oura Bay is on now! The following messages from our supporters are being posted on the message board at the festival site. This year we would like to share them with you on this blog!

Peter Galvin (Center for Biological Diversity, US)

To all my friends in Okinawa,

Many years have passed since I first visited Okinawa and since then I have been working with you to protect the Okinawa dugong from the proposed U.S. Military base expansion at Camp Schwab. There is one reason why this project has not been built. It is you. The brave people of Okinawa have stopped two of the biggest powers on Earth (Washington and Tokyo) from building this atrocity.

I am so very proud to be associated with this great effort to protect endangered species and social welfare. I am also grateful for the wisdom and support of the people of Futenma, who suffer greatly with the ongoing noise and pollution from the U.S. military base there, but who also stand strong in their belief that the solution is not to destroy another area to solve their immediate crises. The solution is for us to struggle for peace and to learn to live with less military bases; to reject militarism as a whole and to protect our environment and rare wildlife. It is all the same struggle at many levels.

I wish I could be there in person to celebrate with you all tonight, but please know that I continue to stand with you and that the dugong is in my thoughts and close to my heart.

All the best,

Peter Galvin

Conservation Director

Center for Biological Diversity

ピーター・ガルビン（生物多様性センター・保全担当、米国、サンフランシスコ）

沖縄の友人達へ

私が沖縄に最初に訪れた時から、長い年月が経ちました。そして皆さんと一緒に、キャンプ・シュワブにおいて計画されている基地建設から沖縄のジュゴンを守るための闘いに取組んできました。現在も基地が建設されていない理由、それは皆さんです。勇気ある沖縄の人々が、世界で最も大きな権力である米国政府と日本政府の非道な基地建設を止めてきたのです。

私は、絶滅危惧に晒されている生き物たちと、人々の幸せを守るこの取組みに、皆さんと一緒関われていることに大きな誇りを感じています。そして普天間基地の騒音やその他諸々の問題に苦しめられながらも、他の場所を破壊することで自らの危機を解決してはならないという信念を持って闘っている普天間の皆さんの英知と支援に対して、心から感謝をしています。私たちにとって、この問題の解決方法は、平和を希求すること、軍事基地に依存せずに暮らせるように学んでいくこと、軍事主義全体を否定し、環境と希少な野生生物を守っていくこと、そこにあるのです。同じような闘いが、多くのレベルで展開されているのです。

私も出来るならば、その場所で皆さんと一緒に、一晩中満月祭りを祝いたい気持ちですが、これからも皆さんに協力していくこと、そして沖縄のジュゴンについて、いつも考え、ジュゴンは私の心の隣にいることを、皆さんぜひ心に留めておいて下さい。

Jean Downey (Ten Thousand Things, US)

Occupy Love, not Okinawa.

ジーン・ダウニー（テン・サウザンド・ティングス、米国）
沖縄を占領するのではなく、愛で満たして。

Regge Life

Have a great festival next week and I wish you all the best with your endeavors.

レジー・ライフ（ドキュメンターリ映画監督、米国、マサチューセッツ）

来週すばらしい祭りが行われますように、そして皆さんの活動がうまくいきますように願っています。

Leevin Camacho （We are Guahan, Guam, )

Just as coral reef is valuable whether it grows in Okinawa or Guam, all people deserve to have a meaningful role in the decisions that affect their communities. I hope that Guam and Okinawa will continue to stand unified in opposition to the destruction of our precious environmental resources on both of our islands and in the fight for the respect of our people's wishes.

リーヴィン・カマチョ（グアム、We are Guahan）

沖縄で育つサンゴ礁も、グアムで育つサンゴ礁も、それぞれに価値があるように、コミュニティーに影響のあることを決める時、全ての人々には、それぞれが果たすべき重要な役割があるはずです。沖縄とグアムの島にある大切な環境資源の破壊に反対するため、そして私たちの希望が尊重される闘いのため、これからもグアムと沖縄はひとつになっていきましょう。

Wada, Eric(Ukwanshin Kabudan, Hawaii)

To all in Okinawa,

Okinawa needs to realize their rights have been taken away over and over. They have been lied to and used as sacrifice by the Japanese, just because they are not really Japanese, but Ryukuan. A colonized land taken over by U.S. and Japan. Okinawa has no voice. Okinawa needs to stand up and demand their rights.　

They were forcefully annexed in 1879, same as Queen Lili`uokalani of Hawai`i. They were told that their way of life, dress and culture are inferior and that they must stop speaking their native language . They were taught that they were stupid and would not be able to hold a good job or position if they spoke Okinawan. They were punished for being Okinawan. Now less than 5% of the population understands and speaks the language. Okinawa did not have any voice in these decisions.

Almost all Okinawans believed the reversion to Japan would bring them equality and status as Japanese. It has been 40 years and nothing has changed as Okinawans still receive the bad end of the deal. They take the burden of 80% of all U.S. bases in Japan, but Okinawa has not seen the economic rewards. The only ones who prosper is the landowners and a small percentage who work on the bases. The majority of Okinawans still suffer as Japan has not helped to build Okinawa back up after making it it's sacrifice in the war, although knowing that they were going to surrender. 140,00 Okinawans, elders, women, children, lost their lives in the only land battle, as innocent Ryukyuan blood was spilled in a war they were forced to be a shield for.

Okinawa now faces the base decision being shoved down their throats should the Japan government create a new law to override the Okinawans' decision. U.S. is putting pressure on Japan, without consideration to the vote and decision of the Okinawa people. Articles quote U.S. as saying 'for national interests..etc" Who's interests? Americans? So much for "Liberty and Justice for All". Its very interesting how the so called democratic laws of the U.S., works at their discretion, but otherwise can be thrown aside when it comes to forcing what they want on foreign peoples and lands. As for Japan, the prejudice of the Okinawans still remains as Okinawa is used for its own gains.

If only Okinawa can realize their rights are being violated over and over and if this continues there will be no more Okinawa. If U.S. really preaches "Liberty and Justice for All", then they must honor the decision of the Okinawans and honor their promise to return Futenma. If not...Futenma agreement was only to quell the anger from the rape in 1995.

Okinawans understand how important peace is, but at the same time cannot continue to be the sacrifice as their rights are continually violated. The Battle of Okinawa is not over...the cultural genocide of Okinawa continues.

和多エリック(御冠船歌舞団、ハワイ）

沖縄のみなさんへ

沖縄、自らの権利が幾度となく奪われてきたことを認識しなければなりません。沖縄の人々は、日本人ではなく、琉球人というだけで、欺かれ、犠牲にされ続けてきました。アメリカと日本により奪われ植民地化された沖縄。沖縄は自分たちの声さえ持っていません。沖縄は立ち上がり、自らの権利を主張すべきです。

ハワイの女王リリウオカラニがそうであったように、1897年に沖縄の人々は力ずくで併合されました。そして、自分たちの暮らしや服装や文化が劣るものである、自分たちの言葉を話してはならない、と言われてきました。沖縄の人々は愚かであり、沖縄の言葉を使えばいい仕事や地位につけない、と教えられてきました。沖縄人であるというだけで、罰せられてきたのです。現在、沖縄の人口の５％以下しか、自分たち言葉を理解し話すことができません。このような状況に至るまでに様々な決定が下されて来ましたが、そこに沖縄の声はなかったのです。

多くの沖縄の人々は、本土復帰により、日本人と同じような平等と地位をもたらすと信じていました。しかし40年経った今も、沖縄は酷い状況を被り続け、状況は何ら変わっていません。日本における米軍施設の80％近くを引き受けさせられていますが、経済的な見返りもありません。沖縄で潤っているのは、少数の軍用地主と、限られた数の軍で働く人々だけです。戦時中、日本は敗戦になることを知りながら沖縄を犠牲にしましたが、戦後も沖縄の復興に十分な支援を行わず、現在でも沖縄の人々の大半は苦しんでいるのです。老人、女性、子供を含む14万人の沖縄の人々の命が、唯一の地上戦で失われました。盾となるために参加させられた戦争において、汚れなき琉球の血が流れたのです。

もし日本政府が新たな特措法を成立させ、沖縄の基地建設反対の決断を踏みつぶすならば、沖縄はまた米軍基地を押し付けられることになるでしょう。アメリカ政府は、沖縄の人々の投票や決断を考慮することもなく、日本政府に圧力をかけています。新聞報道によると、アメリカ政府は「国益」のためだとしていますが、この国益とは誰の利益なのでしょうか。アメリカの利益なのでしょうか。アメリカの　「自由と正義」は、いったいどこにいったのでしょうか。アメリカが主張する民主主義の法とは、他国の人々や土地に対して自分たちがやりたい事をやるときは放棄される、自分たちの都合のよい時だけに使われるものなのでしょうか。日本政府も、沖縄を自分たちの利益に使うばかりで、沖縄への偏見は未だに消えていません。

沖縄は、自分たちの権利がこれからも幾度となく侵され、この状況が続くのなら、沖縄がなくなってしまうことを認識しなければなりません。もしアメリカが、「全ての人々に自由と正義を！」と説くなら、沖縄の人々の決断を尊重し、普天間返還の約束を尊重しなければなりません。もしそうしなければ、その時に合意は、1995年の暴行事件に対する沖縄の怒りをしずめるための、その場しのぎのものだったことになります。

沖縄の人々は平和がどれだけ大切なものかを知っています。しかし同時に、沖縄の人々の権利が侵され続けられ、沖縄の人々が犠牲になることが続くことは許されないはずです。沖縄戦はまだ終わってはいません。沖縄文化の虐殺はまだ続いているのです。

Satoko Norimatsu (Peace Philosophy Centre, Vancouver, Canada)

乗松聡子(ピース・フィロソフィーセンター、カナダ、バンクーバー）

米軍基地も核発電も、冷戦の道具として導入・強化され、「地球、命、平和」を脅かし続けてきました。基地も原発もいらない、豊かで健康な社会を築くための「満月まつり」に賛同し、応援します。私も行きたかったですが、カナダ西海岸から、同じ月を見ることで、参加したいと思います。

Kanjana Adulyanukosol (Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Thailand)

Consideration “The greatest of the global was mankind”. High technology, living in luxury, wasting of natural resources …etc. Nature cannot refuse whatever you asked. However, mankind cannot reject the opinion from the Nature.

カンジャナ・アドュンヤヌコソン　（タイ国政府　海洋・沿岸資源局、タイ）

考えるべきこと

「この地球で最も偉大であった人類」は、高い技術をもって、贅沢な暮らしや、自然資源の浪費や、様々なことを行ってきた。自然は、わたし達人類の要求に対して拒むことはしない。私たち人類も、自然からの訴えを拒むことはできないはず。

Sung-Hee Choi (Jeju island, South Korea)

Dear people in Okinawa,

We heard that you would have the Mangetsu Matsuri (Full Moon Festival) on Nov. 12 to 13. Knowing that it would serve to your hard fought long time struggle, as a catalyzer, we send our wholehearted celebration to all of you in that wonderful festival in solidarity.

The festival is told to be held in Oura bay in Nago, the construction area for a realigned military base. It is told if the base is enforced of construction, the bay would be landfilled despite the strong opposition by majority of you. The precious dugons will be greatly harmed along with voiceless corals, fishes, sea shells, turtles etc.

It is infuriating and lamenting that the authorities of the Japan and United States ignore such important matters. It is told that Robert Panetta, Secretary of Defense, United States recently visiting Japan pressured the Japanese government to push for the construction in such beautiful bay and sea and the Japanese government agreed with it. Panetta’s visit was not limited in Okinawa. His visit places included Southeast Asian countries and South Korea, too. The United States arms corporations backed authorities are determined to increase the military presence of the United States throughout the Asia Pacific.

We, the Gangjeong villagers in the Jeju Island have been opposing the construction of the Jeju naval base in our village since 2007. Many people say the base would be used as part of the U.S. missile defense system, triggering arms race and intensifying the possibility of war against China, at the sacrifice of the peace of the people in the Jeju Island that has been designated as the Peace Island in 2005.

Despite fierce opposition, the navy and construction companies such as Samsung and Daerim are demolishing the Gureombee, the coast of a rock formation into one body. The navy is told to plan to blast the Gureombee on Nov. 18, despite the facts that the coast has been an sacred altar for prayer from the generation of our ancestors and it is a habitat of many endangered species such as red feet crab. The sea in front of coast is also the UNESCO protected soft coral habitats.

To save the Pace Island and to speak for those voiceless creatures, about 11 people have been imprisoned including the three currently in jail. Our mayor Kang Dong-Kyun is one of them.

The military base build up is not only threatening our rights to live along with those precious creatures and peace in the Asia Pacific, but also destroying our own unique cultures including language.

By building our strong solidarity to stop military base construction, we can together contribute to peace in the Asia Pacific. Even though our struggle is hard, let’s keep struggle to save our beautiful culture and sea from the threat of peace in the whole Asia Pacific.

In solidarity

Gangjeong village, Jeju Island

(On behalf of Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun, in jail)

スン・ヒー・チョイさん（済州島、江汀村）

沖縄のみなさん

わたしたちは、11月12、13日に満月祭りがあることを聞きました。この満月祭りが、みなさんの長期間に渡る大変な闘いのためのものであることを知り、この素晴らしいお祭りに連帯しつつ、心からのお祝いを皆さんに送ります。

このお祭りは（米軍）再編成のための軍事基地建設予定地、名護の大浦湾で行われると聞いています。もし軍事基地建設が強行されたなら、多くの人々の強い反対にも関わらず、大浦湾が埋立てられてしまうとも聞いています。そうなったら、大切なジュゴンは、声なきサンゴ、魚たちや貝、海亀などとともに、大きな被害を受けることになるでしょう。

日米両政府がこのような重要なことを無視することには強い怒りと、嘆きを感じます。最近、日本を訪れたロバート・パネッタ米国国防長官は、日本政府がこのような美しい湾と海に米軍基地建設を推進させるように圧力をかけ、日本政府はそれに同意しました。パネッタ長官の訪問は沖縄に限られたものではありませんでした。彼は東南アジア諸国や韓国も訪問しています。政府に支えられている米国の軍事企業は、アジア太平洋における米国の軍事プレゼンスを上げようとしているのです。

済州島の江汀（カンジョン）村の私たちは2007年からこの村で済州島海軍基地建設に反対してきました。多くの人々は、この基地は米国のミサイル防衛システムの一部として使用されるといっています。それは、軍備拡大競争を引き起こし、対中戦争の可能性を増させ、2005年に「平和の島」とされた済州島の人々の平和を犠牲にしてのものなのです。

激しい反対にも関わらず、海軍とサムスンとデリムのような建設会社はクロムビ海岸といわれる一枚岩の海岸線を破壊しようとしています。海岸が、先祖から受け継がれた祈りのための聖なる祭壇であり、赤足カニのような多くの絶滅危惧種の生息地でもあるにも関わらず、海軍は11月18日にクロムビを爆破するようです。この岸が面している海は、UNESCOが保護する、ソフトコーラルの生息地でもあるのです。

この平和の島を守り、声なき生きものに代わって声をあげるため、約11人の人が投獄されました。今でも3人が投獄されており、カン・ドンギュン村長はそのうちの1人です。

米軍基地の建設は、このような大切な生きものと、アジア太平洋の平和とともに生きる私たちの権利を脅かすだけでなく、言葉を含む、私たちの固有の文化を破壊することにもなるのです。

米軍基地建設を阻止するために、私たちが強い連帯を築くことによって、私たちは、アジア太平洋の平和にともに寄与することができるのです。私たちの闘いは困難なものかもしれません。でも、私たちの美しい文化と海を、アジア太平洋全体の平和への脅威から守るために闘いつづけましょう。

みなさんとの連帯を示しつつ

済州島、江汀村

拘留中の村長カン・ドンギュンに代わって

Jeju in Crisis: Sung-Hee Choi's Message for Okinawa Full Moon Festival (E/J)

2011-11-09T20:15:00.002+09:00

The Gangeong Naval Base resistance is now facing an extremely difficult moment.

Four activists were arrested in Gangeong Village on November 8. Youngsil Kang (International Team Leader), Brother Song (Resistance Leader), and Sung-hee Choi (International Team Leader) were arrested at the UN-ROK Disarmamnent Conference during a peaceful protest. Dunguree (Park Sung-soo, Filmmaker) was arrested at the Naval Gate.

Please see the Al Jazeera documentary about the Gangjeong Naval Base Resistance. Brother Song and Sung-hee Choi are featured in this documentary.

Facebook group No Naval Base on Jeju keeps us all updated.

Okinawa just received a few days ago Sung-Hee Choi's message for Full Moon Festival which will be held on Nov. 12 and 13 in Oura Bay, the planned site for a new US military base.

We will share her message here with Japanese translation to show our support and solidarity.

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Dear Friends in Okinawa,

We heard that you would have the Mangetsu Matsuri (Full Moon Festival) on Nov. 12 to 13. Knowing that it would serve to your hard fought long-time struggle, as a catalyzer, we send our wholehearted celebration to all of you in that wonderful festival in solidarity.

The festival is said to be held in Oura Bay in Nago, the construction area for a realigned military base. It is said that if base construction is enforced, then the bay would be landfilled despite the strong opposition by the majority of you. The precious dugongs will be greatly harmed along with voiceless corals, fishes, sea shells, turtles etc.

It is infuriating and lamenting that the authorities of the Japan and United States ignore such important matters. It has been said that Robert Panetta, Secretary of Defense, United States recently visiting Japan and pressured the Japanese government to push for the construction in such beautiful bay and sea and the Japanese government agreed with it. Panetta’s visit was not limited in Okinawa. His visits included Southeast Asian countries and South Korea, too. The United States arms corporations backed authorities are determined to increase the military presence of the United States throughout the Asia Pacific region.

We, the Gangjeong villagers in the Jeju Island have been opposing the construction of the proposed Jeju naval base in our village since 2007. Many people say the base would be used as part of the U.S. missile defense system, triggering arms race and intensifying the possibility of war against China, at the sacrifice of the peace of the people in the Jeju Island that has been designated as the Peace Island in 2005.

Despite fierce opposition, the navy and construction companies such as Samsung and Daerim are demolishing the Gureombee, the coast of a rock formation into one body. The navy is told to plan to blast the Gureombee on Nov. 18, despite the facts that the coast has been a sacred altar for prayer from the generation of our ancestors and it is a habitat of many endangered species such as red feet crab. The sea in front of coast is also the UNESCO protected soft coral habitats.

To save the Pace Island and to speak for those voiceless creatures, about 11 people have been imprisoned including the three currently in jail. Our mayor Kang Dong-Kyun is one of them.

The military base build up is not only threatening our rights to live along
with those precious creatures and peace in the Asia Pacific, but also
destroying our own unique cultures including language.

By building our strong solidarity to prevent further U.S. military base construction, we can together contribute to peace in the Asia Pacific. Even though our struggle is hard, let’s keep struggle to save our beautiful culture and sea from the threat of peace in the whole Asia Pacific.
In solidarity
Gangjeong village, Jeju Island
(On behalf of Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun, in jail)

沖縄のみなさん
わたしたちは、11月12、13日に満月祭りがあることを聞きました。この満月祭りが、みなさんの長期間に渡る大変な闘いのためのものであることを知り、この素晴らしいお祭りに連帯しつつ、心からのお祝いを皆さんに送ります。
このお祭りは（米軍）再編成のための軍事基地建設予定地、名護の大浦湾で行われると聞いています。もし軍事基地建設が強行されたなら、多くの人々の強い反対にも関わらず、大浦湾が埋立てられてしまうとも聞いています。そうなったら、大切なジュゴンは、声なきサンゴ、魚たちや貝、海亀などとともに、大きな被害を受けることになるでしょう。
日米両政府がこのような重要なことを無視することには強い怒りと、嘆きを感じます。最近、日本を訪れたロバート・パネッタ米国国防長官は、日本政府がこのような美しい湾と海に米軍基地建設を推進させるように圧力をかけ、日本政府はそれに同意しました。パネッタ長官の訪問は沖縄に限られたものではありませんでした。彼は東南アジア諸国や韓国も訪問しています。政府に支えられている米国の軍事企業は、アジア太平洋における米国の軍事プレゼンスを上げようとしているのです。
済州島の江汀（カンジョン）村の私たちは2007年からこの村で済州島海軍基地建設に反対してきました。多くの人々は、この基地は米国のミサイル防衛システムの一部として使用されるといっています。それは、軍備拡大競争を引き起こし、対中戦争の可能性を増させ、2005年に「平和の島」とされた済州島の人々の平和を犠牲にしてのものなのです。
激しい反対にも関わらず、海軍とサムスンとデリムのような建設会社はクロムビ海岸といわれる一枚岩の海岸線を破壊しようとしています。海岸が、先祖から受け継がれた祈りのための聖なる祭壇であり、赤足カニのような多くの絶滅危惧種の生息地でもあるにも関わらず、海軍は11月18日にクロムビを爆破するようです。この岸が面している海は、UNESCOが保護する、ソフトコーラルの生息地でもあるのです。
この平和の島を守り、声なき生きものに代わって声をあげるため、約11人の人が投獄されました。今でも3人が投獄されており、カン・ドンギュン村長はそのうちの1人です。
米軍基地の建設は、このような大切な生きものと、アジア太平洋の平和とともに生きる私たちの権利を脅かすだけでなく、言葉を含む、私たちの固有の文化を破壊することにもなるのです。
米軍基地建設を阻止するために、私たちが強い連帯を築くことによって、私たちは、アジア太平洋の平和にともに寄与することができるのです。私たちの闘いは困難なものかもしれません。でも、私たちの美しい文化と海を、アジア太平洋全体の平和への脅威から守るために闘いつづけましょう。

みなさんとの連帯を示しつつ

済州島、江汀村

拘留中の村長カン・ドンギュンに代わって

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mmk

Send Your Message to Mangetsu Matsuri (Full Moon Festival)

2011-10-30T23:21:00.006+09:00

Celebration of Earth, Life and Peace Continues in Okinawa

Mangetsu Matsuri 2009

The 13^th Mangetsu Matsuri (Full Moon Festival) will take place at Oura Bay in Nago, Okinawa on November 12 (Sat.) and 13 (Sun.). This year’s Mangetsu Matsuri is organized under the subtheme “Toward Communities without Military Bases and Nuclear Power Plants,” reflecting what happened in the Tohoku region of mainland Japan in March this year.

The Festival Organizing Committee would like to invite you to send a short message to the festival (okinawaor@gmail.com). Your messages, if received by Nov. ４, will be translated into Japanese, and your message and its Japanese translation will be posted on the message board at the festival site as well as they will be printed in the festival’s brochure.

13th Mangetsu Matsuri Poster

The Mangetsu Matsuri started 13 years ago as a local music event to voice objection and concerns against the construction of a US military base in Henoko/Oura Bay. The area of Henoko/Oura Bay is one of the most biodiversity rich areas in Japan, and of course, a critical habitat of the Okinawa dugong.

The idea behind the festival was and continues to be simple: think and talk about earth, life and peace, while listening and dancing to good music, on the beach under the full moon.

Over the years, the Mangetsu Matsuri has grown into one of the most exciting and heartwarming and thought-provoking local events in Okinawa, attracting musicians, performers, and environmentalists from all over Okinawa, mainland Japan and even from overseas.

This years’ Mangetsu Matsuri will keep its tradition going. It will feature a variety of musicians, performers and artists, including Okinawan folk music legend Yutaka Umisedo, local dance group Setake Youth Eisa Dance Group. There will be plenty of good food and drink, as well as laughter, joy and sincere dialogue at the festival.

Mangetsu Matsuri 2009

Please come join us in the 13^th Mangetsu Matsuri by sending your message (okinawaor@gmail.com) !

H.Y.

Article of Navy Times: VA Adds To List Of Agent Orange-Exposed Ships (Japanese Translation)

2011-10-19T00:55:00.000+09:00

ジョン・ミッチェル氏の記事や来沖により、沖縄の枯れ葉剤の問題は長期的に沖縄が取り組む問題として認識されつつあります。

日本政府は、米国政府に照会し、「枯れ葉剤が使用、貯蔵されたという資料や記録は見つかっていない」という回答を受け取っていますが、米国自体も、新たな記録によって、今なお調査が続いている状態です。

それを示す「ネイビー・タイムス」の記事の翻訳を下に紹介します。

Photo: Department of Veterans Affair :Agent Orange: Blue Water Veterans

Navy Times : VA Adds To List Of Agent Orange-Exposed Ships

[仮訳]

ネイビー・タイムス(9月2日)

退役軍人省、枯葉剤に晒された船のリストを追加

By Patricia Kime, Staff writer　

　退役軍人省は、毒性を持つ枯葉剤であるエージェント・オレンジに晒された結果、障害補償を受給する資格を有するかもしれない船員が乗船した、海軍・沿岸警備艦隊の船舶リストを拡げた。
　このリストは、1962-1975年の期間、ベトナムの沿岸で軍事行動を行っていた「ブルー・ウォーター」関係船舶の更新目録である。このリストに指定された船は、ベトナムの内陸水路に入ったか、ドック[船渠]に入ったもの、あるいは、船員が上陸し、広く用いられたこの除草剤（＝エージェント・オレンジ）に晒された可能性のある船である。
　新しくリストに加えられた船の多くは、沿岸近くで軍事行動を行っていた揚陸艦あるいは駆逐艦である。クラ湾の大型護衛空母も、1965年11月に3日間、カム・ラン湾で、ヘリコプターと部隊の移送に使用されたため、リストに追加された。
　「船のリストの公表は、米国海軍と沿岸警備隊の退役軍人の国家のために払った犠牲に対する重要な認識を示している」と、退役軍人省長官エリック・シンセキは金曜日の発表で語った。
　退役軍人省は枯葉剤に晒されたことが原因と考えられる14の医学的症状に対して、退役軍人あるいは、生存者へ障害補償を払っている。
　退役軍人省当局は、この指定された船から、枯れ葉剤に晒されたという基準に値する退役兵が何人になるかはわからないと述べた。
　退役軍人省の船のリストは、まだ定まったわけではない；国立公文書館で保管されている記録と同様、退役軍人によって提供された航海日誌、船舶履歴、巡航記録といった文書に基づいて、船舶はさらに追加されていくだろう、と当局は語っている。
　この追加されたリストを公開する前日、退役軍人省は、生存者、枯葉剤に晒されたことに関係すると考えられる健康上の症状のリストへ3つの症状を加えた決定の下で、補償の基準に達する8万9000人のベトナム戦争の退役兵あるいは生存者に、過去に、2億2000万ドルの手当を払ったことを明らかにした。
　退役軍人省は、イラク、アフガニスタンからの帰還兵からの請求と同様、これらの申請者の急増した結果としての請求の未処理に直面することになる。処理期間が3ヶ月以上を費やしている請求数は、2010年の20万件から2011年春の45万件となった。

原文はこちら

Pasted below is the original text.
See the website here

VA adds to list of Agent Orange-exposed ships

By Patricia Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Sep 2, 2011 15:53:09 EDT
The Veterans Affairs Department has expanded its list of Navy and Coast Guard ships whose crews may be eligible for disability compensation as a result of exposure to the toxic defoliant Agent Orange.
It is an updated inventory of “Blue Water” platforms that operated along Vietnam’s coastline from 1962 to 1975. The designated vessels either entered the country’s inland waterways, docked in Vietnam, or their sailors went ashore, possibly exposing them to the widely used herbicide.
Many of the new ships are landing vessels or destroyers that operated near the shore. The large escort carrier Kula Gulf also was added because it served as a helicopter and troop transport in Cam Ranh Bay for three days in November 1965.
“Posting of the ships list is an important recognition of the sacrifices U.S. Navy and Coast Guard veterans made for this nation,” VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said in a Friday release.
VA pays disability compensation to veterans or survivors for 14 medical conditions associated with exposure to Agent Orange.
Department officials couldn’t say how many veterans might meet the criteria for exposure from the named ships.
The VA ship list is not static; officials said vessels will be added based on documentation such as deck logs, ship histories and cruise books often provided by veterans as well as records kept in the National Archives.
The day before it published the expanded ship list, VA disclosed that in the past year it has paid $2.2 billion in benefits to 89,000 Vietnam veterans or survivors who qualify for compensation under a ruling that added three conditions to the list of health conditions presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure.
The VA faces a backlog of claims as a result of the jump in those applicants, as well as claims filed by troops returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. The number of claims taking more than three months to process went from 200,000 in 2010 to 450,000 in spring 2011.

The Opinion Ad from Okinawa in the NYT from Sept. 21-23, 2011 !

2011-09-21T19:45:00.003+09:00

The Okinawa Protest Advertising Action has posted the opinion ad for Okinawa to the online New York Times "World" section.

You can read this opinion piece until September 23.

Please click here and help us spread Okinawa's message, "Call for Peace Without Dependence on Military Power! " .

This message seems to resonate with Governor Nakaima's, which he gave to the US Government during his recent visit to Washington, DC.

For more information on his visit, please refer to the article in Mainichi Daily News titled "Okinawa gov. reiterates demand to move U.S. base out of prefecture" here.

by mmk & db

Action: September 5: Okinawa BD going to Defense Bureau

2011-09-04T19:09:00.000+09:00

Citizens' Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa (Okinawa BD) meets with the Okinawa Defense Bureau (local agent of Japanese Ministry of Defense ) for the forth time to protest against the construction of US Military helipads in Takae.

Date and Time: September 5, 15:00

Place: Okinawa Defense Bureau (Kadena)

ⓒkid goya

Agent Orange on Okinawa: Jon Mitchell's Presentation and Rob and Kinue Avery's Documentary Clip on YouTube

2011-08-28T22:49:00.002+09:00

Many of us in Okinawa have long suspected the presence and use of "Agent Orange" on our islands during the Vietnam War era; we have not been able to launch serious investigation into the matter. The secrecy of military operation, the unwillingness of both Japanese and US governments to take action that would jeopardize the Japan-US alliance, and language barriers have been hindrance.

Now, a journalistic investigation by Jon Mitchell, a Welsh-born writer based in Yokohama, Japan, provides new light on the issue of Agent Orange on Okinawa. He has been examining documents and interviewing US veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange while stationed in Okinawa. He presented his compelling findings and arguments at Dialogue Under Occupation (DUO) V Okinawa in August 2011.

We were fortunate to have Rob Avery and Kinue "Kiki" Oshiro-Avery, documentary filmmakers of RA Films covering the DUO conference (They also presented their award-wining documentary film Why Okinawa? Message from the People at the DUO conference). They have uploaded on the YouTube site Jon Mitchell's presentation and their own video clip as Part 1 and Part 2 of Agent Orange Okinawa.

Here are the YouTube video clips with short descriptions by Rob and Kinue.

Part 1:

RAFilms Okinawa, brings you a newer Part 1 of a 2 part story relating to Agent Orange on Okinawa; on August 8th, as part of DUO V, held at Okinawa Christian University and Okinawa Kokusai Daigaku, one of the speakers was Jon Mitchell, a Free Lance Reporter from Yokohama Japan. Jon has been looking into the use of Agent Orange on Okinawa for some time and brought his findings to this conference with compelling details that he has uncovered. We hope that the information provided in this 2 part story will be informative and hopefully shed more light on a topic of much interest and controversy, of the herbicides used that have created such tragic effects on not only ordinary citizens in many countries but also to the American Veterans exposed to these defoliants.for more information contact Jon Mitchell at http://wwwjonmitchellinjapan.com/agent-orange-on-okinawa.html or contact us through you tube or rafilms_okinawa[at]cocoa.ocn.ne.jp

Part 2

This is part 2 on Agent Orange in Okinawa. Jon Mitchell, a Free Lance Writer in Japan has been researching the topic of Agent Orange in Okinawa, which the US Military denies was ever here. We find the information so compelling and the latest information regarding this toxin possibly being buried here at not one but several locations makes this story even more compelling. What is the truth? Chatan near Kadena Air Base, is probably the most important location for Americans serving in the military on Okinawa as the area is home to "American Village" where more Americans go to eat, relax and to take in the night spots than anywhere else on Okinawa. The thought that the herbicide "Agent Orange" may have been buried here is disturbing enough but to learn that it may be in the one place that more Americans spend their idle time and more tourists from around the world also go, could create anxiety for those that "hang out" in that area. We bring you the story, hopefully the truth will find it's way to the surface.Any American Service personnel who have potential information are encouraged to contact Jon Mitchel.If it is true, we have to ask again, Why Okinawa, Why anywhere? for more information go to Jon Mitchell's website athttp://www.jonmitchellinjapan.com/agent-orange-on-okinawa.html or contact us through you tube or rafilms_okinawa[at]cocoa.ocn.ne.jp

Here is Jon Mitchell's abstract, excerpted from DUO V program.

Jon Mitchell
Jon Mitchell is a Welsh-born writer based in Yokohama. Currently, he is coordinating Why are we in Okinawa? – a graphic history of the American Occupation of the Ryukyu Islands.

Agent Orange on Okinawa

Since 1945, the US military has maintained an extensive nuclear, biological and chemical arsenal on the Okinawan islands – only admitting to its presence under extreme, and usually internal, pressure (such as when a leak of nerve gas injured servicemen in 1969). To this day however, Washington DC continues to deny that military herbicides (including dioxin-laden Agent Orange) were ever on the island.In April, 2011, The Japan Times published firsthand testimonies from American service personnel regarding Agent Orange on Okinawa in the late 1960s. These veterans’ accounts of unloading, storing and spraying the defoliant paint an alarming picture of the prolonged and widespread use of the toxic chemical throughout the island. As a result of their exposure, a large number of former service personnel are seriously ill – yet unable to receive medical compensation due to the US government’s refusal to acknowledge Agent Orange’s deployment.Drawing on the experiences of these veterans, this paper highlights not only the health and environmental impact of Agent Orange on Okinawa – but also the way in which the military’s treatment of those exposed suggests that the traditional dichotomy of the occupiers and the occupied may be an oversimplification. The system of occupation brutalizes all those it touches – and involves a multiplicity of oppression. Moreover, the paper suggests that the issue of Agent Orange may open up new avenues of solidarity between service members formerly stationed on Okinawa and current residents – potential nodes, which until now, have yet to be fully explored.

------------------------

Jon Mitchell's Articles on Agent Orange on Okinawa (Japanese Translation)

2011-08-21T16:03:00.001+09:00

今月初めに開催された国際会議「占領下における対話」でのジョン・ミッチェル氏の「沖縄の枯葉剤」の発表は、県内ニュースをかけめぐり、日本政府も、沖縄における枯葉剤の使用の事実を米国に問い合わせるまでとなりました。

ジョン・ミッチェル氏のジャパンタイムスへの特別寄稿文（2011年8月13日、2011年4月12日）の和訳をここに掲載します。和訳は、どちらも「合意してないプロジェクト」阿部小涼さん提供です。

©Sunao Tobaru

DUO初日、沖縄にて作業中のジョン・ミッチェルさん。

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エージェント・オレンジを沖縄で埋却、退役軍人が語る/
元兵士は米国がベトナム戦争時の枯葉剤を使用し廃棄したと主張
2011年8月13日
ジョン・ミッチェル
ジャパンタイムズへの特別寄稿
Agent Orange buried on Okinawa, vet says
Ex-serviceman claims U.S. used, dumped Vietnam War defoliant
By JON MITCHELL
August 13, 2011
Japan Times article is here
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　1960年代末、米軍は有害な枯葉剤「エージェント・オレンジ」の入った数十本のドラム缶を沖縄島の北谷町付近に埋めたと、米退役軍人がジャパン・タイムズ社に語った。

　元兵士のこの主張よりわずか数日前、松本剛明外相は、1945-72年までの27年間の占領期に沖縄で使用した化学物質について明らかにするよう米国防省に対して求めていると語った。米政府は、沖縄におけるエージェント・オレンジの使用については記録がないと繰り返し主張し続けているのである。

　元兵士の証言は、沖縄における関心を大いに高めるだろう。エージェント・オレンジは発がん性のダイオキシンを高濃度に含有し、数十年は土壌や水に残留する可能性がある。元兵士がドラム缶が埋められたと主張する場所は、人気の観光地や住宅地域に近い。

　匿名での報道を求めているこの61歳の元兵士は、1968年から70年に沖縄に駐留し、米陸軍補給地区でフォークリフトを操作していた。この間、彼はエージェント・オレンジを含む補給物資を那覇港へ向かうトラックに搬入する作業に従事し、積荷は那覇港からベトナムへ輸送されていた。

　元米兵は、1969年に補給船が座礁した際、その引き揚げ作業に加わらなければならなかったという。
　
　「島中から作業員が那覇港に集められた。ボートを岩礁から降ろすのに、2、3日を要した。エージェント・オレンジのドラム缶が一杯に詰まったコンテナがいくつも破損していた。55ガロン（208リットル）缶には、オレンジの縞がぐるりと描かれてあった。破損して流れ出していたものもあり、私たちはみんなそれを浴びたのです」と、彼は語った。

　破損したドラム缶の除去のあと、この元兵士は、米軍がそれらを広い敷地に埋却するのを目撃したと主張している。「彼らは長い溝を掘った。150フィート（46メートル）以上はあっただろう。クレーンが複数台あって、コンテナをつり上げていた。そして、中のドラム缶をぜんぶその溝に揺すり落とした。その後、土で埋めたのです」。

　別のふたり、元米兵のマイケル・ジョーンズ氏と港湾作業に従事したジェイムズ・スペンサー氏が、ジャパン・タイムズのインタビューに答えて、何千缶もの除草剤の輸送拠点として那覇港が使われていたという元米兵の主張を裏付けた。スペンサー氏はまた、1969年の引き揚げ作業で座礁船からコンテナを積み降ろすところを目撃している。ただし、コンテナの中身が何であったかははっきり判らないと語った。

　しかし、証言を行った元米兵は、確信を持っている。「あれはエージェント・オレンジだった。マチナト（補給地区）で（ドラム缶を）扱ったときの臭いで判ったのだ」。

　救援作業の際に枯葉剤のダイオキシンを浴びたため、この元米兵は脳卒中と塩素座瘡を含む、深刻な病状に悩まされている。米国退役軍人省（VA)は、病気を患った退役軍人の補償を担当する窓口で、エージェント・オレンジ被曝の治療費として退役兵に対し月1000ドル以上を給付する。

　しかしVAは、彼がベトナムに駐留した6ヶ月の間にダイオキシンに被曝したのだと主張している。

　1991年に米連邦議会を通過したエージェント・オレンジ法の下で、ベトナムに派遣された経験のあるすべての米兵は枯葉剤と接触した可能性があるとみなされ、医療給付と補償を受ける資格を得た。

　だが、エージェント・オレンジは沖縄に保管されたことはないと否定しつづけるペンタゴンのせいで、これらの補償が、この島でダイオキシンに被曝したと主張する元米兵には支払われない。

　証言をした元米兵は、特に、駐留米軍の再編交渉が進行中の現在、沖縄をめぐって日米関係が神経過敏になっている時期に、この問題について語ることの危険性には気付いていると話した。「この件で実名が公表されれば、私の給付金は取り上げられてしまうかもしれない」。

　2002年、沖縄県政は、北谷地域で内容不明の多数のドラム缶を発見したが、これは元米兵が目撃したと主張している掘削された溝の場所に近い。北谷町役場に近い筋の人物の話によれば、ドラム缶が発見された後、那覇を拠点とする沖縄防衛局（*当時の那覇防衛施設局のこと）がすぐに押収し、これは現在の防衛省の管轄下にある。

　「私は北谷町の基地問題担当に、防衛施設局からの報告書を持っているかどうか問い合わせたが、答えはノーだった。町は、いまだに内容物が何であったのか知らないし、ドラム缶がどのように処理されたのか、防衛施設局が内容物についての調査を行ったのかどうかも判らない」と、その人物は語った。

　この6ヶ月間で、ジャパン・タイムズ社が集めた12名の元米兵からの直接の証言によれば、1960年代半ばから1975年にかけて、嘉手納空軍基地、普天間飛行場など沖縄の9カ所の米軍施設でエージェント・オレンジを貯蔵し、噴霧し、輸送したとのことである。

　証言に名乗り出た人々のうちのひとり、61歳の元米空軍整備兵ジョー・シパラ氏は、泡瀬通信施設の周囲で雑草を除去するために、定期的に枯葉剤を噴霧したという。また、キャンプ・シュワブ所属の海兵隊員であったスコット・パートン氏は、1971年、何十というエージェント・オレンジのドラム缶を基地内で見たと証言している。ふたりの証言は、沖縄で撮影された枯葉剤のドラム缶の写真によって裏付けられている。ふたりとも現在、2型糖尿病や前立腺疾患など、枯葉剤に接したことが原因の深刻な病状にあり、シパラ氏の子どもたちには、ダイオキシン被曝で起こる奇形の症状が現れている。ところが、VAはかれらの申請を却下し続けている。これは、米国防省が、枯葉剤の沖縄での存在を認めようとしないためである。

　これら12名の元米兵の説明が示すのは、ベトナム戦争時、この島でエージェント・オレンジが広範囲に使用されていたということである。枯葉剤は、北部のやんばる地域から南部は那覇港まで、大量に貯蔵され使用されていたと彼らは語っている。枯葉剤の発がん性について充分に明らかになったのは、1980年代半ばになってようやくのことであった。

　沖縄の人々は、この問題に関心を持っている。エージェント・オレンジが噴霧された9カ所の基地のうちのひとつに近い小学校に勤めていたという退職教員は、最近、彼女の教え子たちに白血病で亡くなった者が多いことを説明してくれた。白血病は、ダイオキシン被曝に由来すると米国政府が認めている病状に含まれている。

　名護市議の大城敬人氏は、名護にあるキャンプ・シュワブで多数のドラム缶を見たという元海兵隊員パートン氏の主張について、調査を要求した。

　米軍が有害廃棄物の処理についてこのように糾弾されるのは、これが初めてのことではない。

　2005年、アラスカのフォート・メインライトでは、建設業者が宅地造成予定地の地下からPCB汚染された何トンもの土を発見したことが大々的に報道された。今年の5月には、3人の退役軍人が、1978年に韓国のキャンプ・キャロルでエージェント・オレンジのドラム缶を埋却する作業をしたと主張した。ペンタゴンは現在、この主張について調査中である。

　沖縄国際大学で環境法を専門とする砂川かおり氏は、エージェント・オレンジによる汚染の可能性について関心を寄せている。「沖縄の人々は、この件について真実を知る必要がある。政府は汚染が広がっているかどうか調査を実施すべき。今も健康や環境への危険性があるのかどうか、私たちは知る必要がある」と彼女は語った。

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「沖縄におけるエージェント・オレンジの証拠：
米退役軍人たちが、その健康被害と正義の闘いを語る」
ジョン・ミッチェル
2011年4月12日
『ジャパン・タイムズ』への特別寄稿

Evidence for Agent Orange on Okinawa to their health and their struggle for justice

U.S. veterans speak about its harm
By JON MITCHELL
Special to The Japan Times

Japan Times article is here

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1960年代末、ジェイムズ・スペンサーは沖縄の軍港で働く米海軍の港湾労働者だった。

「この頃、私たちはあらゆる種の積荷を扱っていました。オレンジの縞模様の入ったこの缶も含まれていました。荷下ろしのときに、それがこぼれて『エージェント・オレンジ（Agent Orange: ヴェトナム戦争時、米軍が使用した枯葉剤のひとつ）』をかぶっていたのでしょう。まさに雨を浴びるようにね」。1965年から1967年の間、ラマー・スリートはこの島のキャンプ・クエの衛生兵だった。

「エージェント・オレンジは嘉手納（空軍基地）に貯蔵されていて、沖縄の植生管理に使用されていました。私は個人的に軍病院のグラウンドの周囲で噴霧作業班を見かけたことがあるし、服に枯葉剤が染みこんだ作業員がER（救急救命）に運び込まれたときに、その場に立ち会ったこともあります」。

1970年、ジョー・シパラは、沖縄本島中部にある泡瀬通信施設に勤務していた。
「アンテナは『ミッション・クリティカル（mission critical: 24時間365日稼働を要求される基幹的システム）』に分類されていたため、周囲に雑草が生い茂ることは許されません。数週間おきにトラックが来て、この施設のエージェント・オレンジの缶を充填していました。それを混合して境界線のフェンス周辺の雑草に噴霧するのが私の担当でした」。

『ジャパン・タイムズ』紙のためにインタビューに答えたこの3人の退役軍人だけでなく、退役軍人管理局(V.A.)の記録には、1960年代末から1970年代初頭にかけて沖縄で使用されたエージェント・オレンジについて、数百に上る同様の証言が存在する。
当時、この島は米国支配下にあり、ヴェトナムにおける米国の戦闘の前線基地としての役割を担わされていた。
これらの証言が明らかにするのは、ダイオキシンを含む枯葉剤が、戦闘地域に移送される前に、沖縄に大規模に貯蔵されていただけでなく、軍事施設の除草や、北部の山原（やんばる）のジャングルでの実験に定期的に使用されていたという事実である。

島におけるこの長期で広範囲にわたるエージェント・オレンジの使用は、それを取り扱った兵士の多くに深刻な病状をもたらした。
スペンサー、スリート、シパラは、現在、癌、2型糖尿病、虚血性心疾患など、止めどなく続くダイオキシンにまつわる症状に悩まされている。
さらに、シパラの死産となった最初の子は、赤ん坊が日の目を見なかったことを感謝するべきだと医者に言われるほどの奇形で、生誕したふたりの子どもはエージェント・オレンジによる中毒症状と合致する奇形に冒されている。

もしもかれら退役軍人たちが、ヴェトナムで［枯葉剤を］浴びていたならば、米国政府は有害な枯葉剤に接したすべての兵士を承認しているため、V.A.による医療費の補助を受けることができただろう。
しかし、かれらは沖縄で被害に晒されたために、その補償要求は、この島でのエージェント・オレンジの存在を認めない国務省のために、繰り返し拒絶されてきた。
2004年7月、統合参謀本部議長リチャード・マイヤーズ大将が、政府の「記録には沖縄におけるエージェント・オレンジやその他の枯葉剤の貯蔵や使用を裏付ける情報は一切ない」と発表したのは、こうした姿勢を示すもっとも最近の一例である。

このような否定のために米退役軍人がV.A.から補償を勝ち取るのが困難になっている。
シパラの例は、退役軍人が向き合う困難を如実に示している。
彼の軍命令書は、当時かれが沖縄に駐留していたことを示しているし、彼の病歴は、ダイオキシン被曝の症例に合致する。
バイクに乗ってエージェント・オレンジの缶の横を通り過ぎる彼の写真は、決定的証拠として、彼のケースが退役軍人たちを代表すべきことを物語っている。

11ヶ月に及ぶ協議の後、V.A.は、二つの根拠を挙げてシパラの要求を拒絶した。
第一に、被曝によって病気が進行したという証拠がない。
シパラはこれに反論している。「沖縄から帰還した直後に糖尿病を発症したことは、私の医療記録から明らかです。なぜその当時の医者は、それがエージェント・オレンジによるものだと言わなかったのでしょうか。それが1970年のことで、まだ誰も被曝の危険性についてよく知らなかったからです。」

第二に、V.A.は、「日本の沖縄における、あなたの隊の兵員による、エージェント・オレンジの噴霧、試験、貯蔵に関するいかなる証拠も見つけることができなかった」と言った。

この言葉は、V.A.が却下する際に共通の表現で、そのことが、シパラを困惑させた。
「記録がないからという理由で、どうして却下しつづけられるのか、理解できない。だれでも枯葉剤を使っていた沖縄で、1998年裁定が当てはまるのは限られたひとつの例だけだなどと誰が信じると思うのか。」

シパラが言っているV.A.の裁定というのは、2007年に報告され世界的なニュースになったものだ。
1998年1月付けで、1961年から62年の間に沖縄の路肩に噴霧しトラックで運搬したエージェント・オレンジを浴びたと主張した退役軍人の事件に関する1998年1月付けの裁定のことである。兵士はそのために前立腺癌を患った。
V.A.は、「この退役軍人が沖縄で軍務中にダイオキシンに晒された可能性を根拠づける信頼できる証拠がある」と退役軍人の側に立つ結論を出したのである。

この裁定は、最終的に米軍がこの島でエージェント・オレンジを使用したことを認める道を拓くだろうという期待をもたらした。
今日に至って、しかし、1998年裁定は、沖縄駐留軍人のうちただひとつの成功例にとどまっている。
何年にもわたってV.A.は、先の決定は判例として確立していないと、何百という同様の要求を却下している。
2010年のある却下の文書には、「それぞれの事件は、個別の事実に基づいて決定される」なる文言が書かれていた。

しばしば、V.A.は、エージェント・オレンジの使用に関して手書きの文書証拠を求める。
そのような文書は、しかし、追求不可能であることが判る。化学品を浴びた兵士の入院記録が事件直後にいかに紛失するものか、スリートはよく知っている。
シパラは、「手書きの命令書など存在しない。我々は何をしろと口頭で言われ、それをしたのだ。国防省は起こったことを簡単に忘れることができるような仕組みになっているんだ」と言い足した。

当時の軍事行動の機密度が、退役軍人が沖縄についての情報を入手することをいっそう困難にしている。
たとえば、1960年代を通じて、アメリカが生物化学兵器を貯蔵していただろうと沖縄住民は考えてきた。
しかし当局は1969年になって、神経ガスが漏れ23名の米兵が負傷するまで、この主張を認めなかった。
この事件をめぐる国際的な非難の高まりを背景に、軍は、レッドハット作戦を実行した。
1万2000トンもの毒ガス兵器を沖縄から太平洋の真ん中にあるジョンストン島へ移送する、8ヶ月に及ぶ作戦である。

退役軍人の多くは、軍が、エージェント・オレンジの備蓄の大部分もレッドハット作戦の間に同時に移送したと信じている。
かれらの推測がどうやら正しいことを示すのは、「レッドハット作戦の記録が、1969年8月から1972年3月にかけて、沖縄に枯葉剤が貯蔵され、後に廃棄されたことを示している」という2009年のV.A.の裁定だ。

マイヤーズの2004年の否定と直ちに矛盾するこのような文書は、救済を求める退役軍人をいらだたせ続けている。
しかし、楽観できる見通しもある。
2000年まで、米国政府は、軍による枯葉剤使用はヴェトナムのみだったとしてきた。
しかし、1968年から1971年にかけて、韓国の非武装地帯での使用を証拠が明らかにし、当時そこに駐留していた退役軍人にダイオキシン関連の医療費支給が認められた。
同様に、グアムにおけるエージェント・オレンジ被曝の退役軍人を支持するV.A.の裁定に引き続き、バラク・オバマ大統領は、軍隊の枯葉剤配備地域のリストにミクロネシア領を加えるよう求める圧力をかけられている。

沖縄を、この増え続けるリストに加える可能性について問われた際に、ヴェトナム戦争海軍退役軍人会の議会における代弁者であるジェフ・ディヴィスは、三方向による取り組みを実施するよう助言した。

「第一に、噴霧器を背負ったり、トラックに積み込んだり、ヴェトナムを往復する輸送船からの積み込みや積み卸し作業を補助したということを証言する個々の宣誓供述書。次に、沖縄に駐留した退役軍人の間に、エージェント・オレンジ関連と公認されている一連の疾患の罹患率が非常に高いという調査。最後に、科学的根拠、すなわち、ダイオキシンの存在を示す飲料水や土のサンプル（を集める必要がある）」。

この最後の点は、退役軍人たちに枯葉剤関連の疾病を証明できる希望の道を拓く。
しかし、それは同時に、恐ろしい予想を招来する。
ダイオキシン被曝は、現在駐留中の米兵とその家族たちにも及んでいるかもしれないということだ。
退役軍人の説明でもっとも多く言及される地域は、嘉手納空軍基地と、北部訓練場で、現在もなお、米軍の管理下に置かれ続けている場所である。
皮肉にも、このことは、危険性をアメリカ管理地域に閉じ込めることによって、沖縄の市民の大多数を、ダイオキシン被曝から守っていると言えるのかもしれない。
2009年、科学者たちは、ヴェトナムで、戦中に米国がエージェント・オレンジを貯蔵していたダイオキシン危険地帯を発見した。
正確に類推するならば、沖縄の現在の基地は、軍の枯葉剤によって重度に汚染されたままということになるだろう。

いずれにしても、政府が、かつて国に仕えた人々への義務を無視し続ける間に、V.A.に要求を拒絶され続ける何百という退役軍人たちが、いっそう病に冒され続ける日々が続くのだろうと、シパラは考えている。
「退役軍人の間では、V.A.の非公式のモットーとは『認めない、認めない、彼らが死ぬまで』だと言わ
れている。政府にかれらが行ったことを認めさせる唯一の方法は、私たちがもっとたくさん立ち上がって、世界に向けて自分たちのことを話すことだ」。

本稿発表の時点において、『ジャパン・タイムズ』のコメントの要求に対し、米国退役軍人管理局も、国防省も、無回答のままである。

沖縄とエージェント・オレンジに関する経過
1952　サンフランシスコ条約で沖縄は米国管理下に
1962　米空軍、沖縄で米の収穫に生物兵器実験
1963　米輸送船、おおよそ1万2000トンの生物化学兵器を沖縄に搬入
1969　嘉手納空軍基地で神経ガス漏れ、23人の米兵が病院へ
1971　レッドハット作戦、生物化学兵器の在庫をジョンストン島へ移送
1972　沖縄の施政権が日本へ返還される
1998　V.A.沖縄のエージェント・オレンジ被曝を主張する退役軍人に賠償
2004　米政府、沖縄におけるエージェント・オレンジを否定
2009　V.A.決定、レッドハット作戦にエージェント・オレンジが含まれていたことに言及
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Youtubeより：ジョン・ミッチェルがスカイプで記録したインタビュー。枯れ葉剤が60年代初めから70年代初めまで沖縄で米軍に貯蔵され、噴霧され、埋められた事実を語っています。
Youtube: Interview recorded by Jon Mitchell from The Japan Times via Skype.
Agent Orange (Dioxin) was store, sprayed and buried on Okinawa
from the early 60's to the early 70's by the US military there.

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ジョン・ミッチェル氏による沖縄の枯葉剤問題の経過説明などはこちらで

Final Testimony of Sung-Hee Choi

2011-08-19T21:02:00.001+09:00

Sung-Hee Choi was released from Jeju Island prison on August 17.
Nucrear Register's article is here

ⓒMacGregor Eddy

Sung-Hee Choi wearing a growing life Salinas shirt.

Here is the Final Testimony of Sung-Hee Hoi.
Reprinted from Corazon Fabros's notes on Facebook with her approval.

Final Testimony of Sung-Hee Choi (In English and Japanese)

Charge: Obstruction of Business

The Accused: Choi Sung-hee

Your Honor,

I, Choi Sung-hee, am a visual artist. I have been drawn to the beauty of Jeju Island, the pearl of Korea, and to the beautiful ecological preservation of Gangjeong village, which has been called the diamond of Jeju Island. I have also been drawn to the friendly spirit of the Gangjeong villagers who live peacefully with nature. Their will to protect and love the natural environment has moved me deeply, and I have been very inspired by their independent historical consciousness to realize peace for the greater people of Jeju Island through their preservation and protection of their village. I believe that their admirable spirit deserves the support and respect of all the Korean people as well as the people of the world. It is for this reason that I demonstrated my support for their non-violent and peaceful resistance against building the naval base.

Every time I placed myself beneath the wheels of construction trucks in an effort to protest the illegal, cunning, and manipulative measures to carry out the construction of naval base, I reminded myself of two important mottos, which were articulated by the older generation of colleagues. The first is “Unless you come forward, who will speak for that coral, fish, and shells that cannot speak?” The second is “This land we are living on is on lease from the next generation of people.”

The construction area that I endeavored to protect is home to endangered species like the red-footed crab and the narrow-mouthed toad, which are recognized by the Ministry of the Environment. On March 15, 2011, the Jeju Provincial Assembly rescinded the motion to nullify the “absolute preservation area” designation, thereby reestablishing the legal grounds for the protection of the Jungdeok coastline. Several legal actions by local residents are also underway, including an appeal to rescind permission to use this area for national defense and as a military facility, an appeal to affirm the “absolute preservation area” designation, and an appeal to ensure the public right to fair surface water use. In addition, the project for preservation of cultural assets is still in progress yet what has been assessed through this project has not been properly conveyed to the local residents. In light of the ongoing status of these legal actions and the cultural assets assessment, I cannot but arrive at the conclusion that the move to forcefully continue with construction without checking into or conforming to proper procedures is illegal. In the case of the Saemangum area, construction was brought to a standstill because of a legal dispute. Why then is construction at Jeju Island being enforced without accountability or conformity to legal safeguards? Construction companies contend that the suspension of work harms business, but companies, which employ a lot of subcontractors, foster the conditions that themselves generate problems.

Construction companies, the Navy, prosecutors, and the police charged me with twenty counts of obstructing business, but what I did was to obstruct their illegal actions. In fact, what I did was meant to halt the manipulation of the law, which exploits people in order to advance the narrow interests of power. Siding with the haves in society, all branches of authority, i.e., legislative, executive, and judicial, exercise absolute power and wield illegal violence in their attempt to shrink any space for disobedience and dissent. Insofar as my actions were undertaken as a last resort to legally assert self-defense, I am not guilty.

I object to the charges related to the events of May 19. On that day, the Seogwipo Police and the Jeju prosecutor arrested me on the spot as a criminal who had been obstructing business, yet the situation was as follows: construction workers and police were carrying out the demolition of neighboring facilities through “execution by proxy” without ensuring that proper legal steps were taken. At that point, seven villagers and civil rights activists had already been arrested so I, along with other women, raised a banner in silence: “Touch not even one stone, touch not one flower.” I do not remember if the police read me my Miranda rights; all that I remember is that they said, “Ms. Choi Sung-hee, we hereby arrest you as a criminal.” After this, five or six policewomen, dressed in civilian clothes, forced me into a police car, and, the police and Jeju prosecutor rendered me into custody on the charge of obstructing business. They say I obstructed business on May 19, but how does expressing protest by silently holding a banner constitute an illegal act tantamount to damaging the property of construction companies? Moreover, they inserted a clause indicating that I placed myself under the wheel of construction truck in order to justify their “arrest” of May 19 and “detention” of May 21, only to remove this clause along with the word “criminal-in-the-act” from arraignment after I protested. They “arrested” me first with a “false indictment” in order to “detain” me in custody. I cannot help but suspect that the whole rigmarole was designed for my “detention.” The Gangjeong village association and peace advocacy group that I am affiliated with accordingly released a public statement on May 23 to criticize the police and the prosecutor, which indicated that “the prosecutor, in conducting an investigation to determine the validity of the arrest warrant for Choi Sung-hee falsified additional information for the purpose of indictment” and that “the prosecutor indicted Choi Sung-hee on false charges that she obstructed business.”

I feel it is important to ceaselessly expose abuses of power and to highlight the need to curb such abuses on the part of the Seogwipo police department and the Jeju prosecutor’s office whose officials are paid by the islanders’ tax money. I speak out against the abuse of power because I fear that there will be more victims like myself if I remain quiet. Recently, the police and the prosecutor’s office have been badgering the residents of Gangjeong with a barrage of citations and demands for compensation for the damages the residents supposedly caused to the tune of about $280,000. This is nothing more than an oppressive tactic aimed at creating tension among the residents who in turn will blame peace activists for provoking the officials to behave badly, thereby driving a wedge between the activists and the residents.

I detect in the oppressive attitude in the officials the same sort of attitude responsible for the horrific 4.3 massacre. The history of Jeju Island is one of endless struggle against outside forces and this time, it faces the might of the central government and the Korean Navy. The Jeju prosecutors and Seogwipo police, instead of acting on behalf of the islanders, are committing treachery in collusion with the central government. A survey indicates that 44% of the residents of Gangjeong Village suffer from severe depression, and 34.7% of them have attempted suicide. On June 17, a villager was reported to have attempted suicide by consuming herbicide. On June 20, Navy personnel resorted to violent means to disband a group of peaceful demonstrators. Former Assemblywoman Hyun Ae-ja made a statement, “It’s a crime for the military to treat civilians with violence, even in wartime.” However, the central government, against the wishes of the villagers, quietly watched the Navy ruin the shoreline of the rare coral reef, which had been designated as a natural treasure.

Korea’s Constitution guarantees all of its citizens’ human respect and the right to pursue happiness. Sadly, this is the not the case in Gangjeong today. Your Honor, I believe that you can hear the voice of conscience founded in the Constitution.

Many people voiced their concern that Jeju Island and its future generations will become vulnerable to attack because its naval base is associated with the missile defense system of the United States. It is my duty and right to enact a peaceful non-violent demonstration against a base which is certain to invite war. I am told that about one thousand people have telephoned the Korean Embassy in Washington D.C. to voice their opposition to the naval base construction in Gangjeong. The danger of building a naval base in JeJu has become a concern for not only Koreans but also the international community. I understand that a Korean Embassy worker told callers that they should contact the U.S. government because it is pushing the naval base project rather than the Korean government.

Your Honor, why is the naval base problem developing into the second 4.3? One of the main reasons is because both the 4.3 massacre and the naval base conflict stemmed from the contravention of rights by outside forces (such as the U.S.) and their threat to the islanders’ right to peaceful existence. That is the reason why Jeju residents (who more than anyone had resisted outside powers) and the citizens of the Korean peninsula must recognize the fact that the major international powers have designs on the Jeju Island as a geostrategic location. They must realize that their home could become a battleground for the major powers and put a stop to the naval base.

Recent tensions between the U.S. and China justify our concern for the peace of Jeju. At a U.S.-Japan conference on June 21, the importance of forming alliances to isolate China was emphasized, suggesting the participation of the U.S., Australia, Japan, India and Korea. In this conference, the sale of Standard Missile 3 (developed by Raytheon of the U.S. and Mitsubishi of Japan) to Korea surfaced as a strong possibility. On July 9, the U.S., Japan, and Australia held a joint military exercise near Brunei in Indonesia. On that same day, the U.S. nuclear submarine USS Texas entered Korea’s waters and docked. Korea and the U.S. plan to hold training sessions for airborne fueling procedures every six months in preparation for possible actions against China, according to the experts. U.S. fuel-supply airplanes are said to operate out of its airbase in Okinawa. On August 4, the former chief of staff for the Korean Air Force was reported to have revealed military secrets to Lockheed Martin, the U.S. maker of fighter airplanes as well as destroyers that might dock in the Jeju naval base.

Was there American pressure to build the naval base on Jeju Island? I hear the clicking of the champagne glasses in the halls of weapons manufacturers like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Raytheon amidst the moaning sounds by the Gangjeong villagers. What region and country can revitalize the trade in U.S. weapons, their number-one export following their economic difficulties due to their wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? It is Jeju Island in the Republic of Korea.

The island of peace is facing a crisis.

Your Honor, there is another important item I would like to bring up. It is the matter of environmental protection. Jeju Governor Woo Geun-min has failed to represent the people who elected him to look after their interests. He has neglected his duties in protecting Jeju’s unique environment and failed to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by UNESCO with respect to the management of the geological park.

According to the Jeju Daily on July 12, the third clause of UNESCO rules calls for continuous efforts by the governor in order for Jeju to retain its UNESCO designation as a natural treasure; the fourth clause calls for the islanders’ cooperation in the upkeep of the natural treasure. Assemblyman Yoo Won-il points out that the naval base site is only 1.5 km. from the UNESCO biological protection area; construction of the naval base will certainly cause UNESCO to retract its designation.

Instead of providing protection for the area, Governor Woo Geun-min is colluding with the Navy to ruin it. He is also trying to bring commercial tourism into the area. He recently stated that the Department of Defense promised him help promote tourism. Samsung, one of the firms involved in the naval base construction, has already begun advertising for tourism. When we examine all of these factors, we can conclude only one thing: the government, the military, and the corporations are colluding to destroy the environment, against the wishes of the islanders.

Your Honor, I ask that no more peace activists and Gangjeong residents stand here victimized as I am. I have faith in your conscience. Is it just for me to stand here because of my non-violent demonstration to preserve the island of peace? Or, shouldn’t the governor who sold Jeju out to the central government, military, and capital stand here? How about Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik and Minister of Defense who turned over the island to the outside powers against the will of the people? People pay for their salary and yet they are oppressing weak people like me.

According to Howard Zinn, a well-known American peace activist, “Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience. Our problem is the number of people all over the world who have obeyed the dictates of the leaders of their government and have gone to war, and millions have been killed because of this obedience.... Our problem is that people are obedient all over the world, in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity, and war and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves, and all the while the grand thieves are running the country. That’s our problem.”

It is my hope that building the island of peace is actually realizable, not merely in language. Many people speak of building a peace park and a UN peace school instead of the naval base. Don’t you feel warm thinking about a world in which our young people and their children—free of pressure from draft and school tuitions—realize their dreams and work together to build a peaceful world? That hope keeps alive my passion for justice and gives me courage.

Thank you.

Choi Sung-hee

Jeju Courthouse

Her Day. At That Day at Gangeong - a set on Flickr

www.flickr.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65620224@N06/sets/72157627456720790/

PDF file is here

フリーランスの歴史家で学識者John, Cha, カリフォルニア大学バークレー校教授、Jinsoon,An, シカゴ大学学部生で非凡な活動家であるJun Hyung Kim,そしてカリフォルニア大学バークレー校のアジアアメリカおよび重要な環太平洋研究の教授であるChristine Hongに対し、このすばらしい翻訳をして頂いたことを感謝します。

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

Japanese translation (courtesy of Makiko Sato)

最終弁論

容疑2011 /Kodan　318　営業妨害　（2011　Kodan511 combined ）

被告: Choi Sung-hee

私、サンヒー・チョイ（Sung-Hee, Choi）はビジュアル・アーティストです。私は韓国の真珠であるJeju島の美しさに惹きつけられ、またJeju島のダイヤモンドと呼ばれてきたGangjeong村の美しい生態系の保存に心を引かれましたた。私はまたその自然と平和に暮らすその村の人々の友好的な精神にも惹きつけられました。その自然環境を保護し慈しもうとする彼らの気持ちは私を深く感動させましたし、また村の保存と保護を通じより広範なJeju島民の平和を実現するための彼らGangjeong村住民の昔からの自立した意識に私は鼓舞されてきました。私は彼らの称賛すべきこの精神は、世界の人々だけでなく韓国市民すべての支援と尊敬に値すると考えます。まさにこの理由により私は、海軍基地建設に対する彼ら村民の非暴力、平和的抵抗への支援を行ったのです。

海軍基地建設を実行するための不法でずるく懐柔的な措置に対し抗議しようとして建設作業のトラックのタイヤの下に身を投げ出した度に、私は二つの重要なモットーを思い出しました。それは年配世代の同志が明確に述べたものです。一つ目は「あなたが行動を起こさない限り、誰がしゃべることができない、あのサンゴや魚や貝のために話すだろうか？」、二つ目は「私たちが住んでいるこの土地は、次ぎの世代の人から借りている」というものです。

私が守ろうとした建設地域は赤足カニやヒメアマガエルのような絶滅の恐れがある種の生息地で、それらの棲息は環境省によっても確認されています。2011年3月15日にJeju道議会は「絶対保護地域」指定を無効にする動議を破棄し、それによりJungdeok海岸の保護のための法的根拠を再確立しました。地元住民による幾つかの訴訟も現在進行中であり、その中にはこの地域を国防のためや軍事施設として使用することへの許可の破棄を求める訴え、「絶対保護地域」指定を確認する上告、さらにきれいな上水への市民の権利を確保するための訴えなどが含まれます。

加えて文化資産保全のための事業も進行中ですが、それなのにこれまでこの事業を通じて評価されたものは地元住民に適切に伝えられていません。これらの訴訟の進捗状況および文化資産評価の観点から私は、適切な手続きに従っておらず、またその手続きが取られたかを検証もせずに建設を強行し続けるその動きは不法であるとの結論に到達せずにはおられません。Saemangum地域の訴訟では、建設は法律論争のため膠着状態になりました。それなのになぜJeju島での建設は、法的規制への遵守や説明責任なしに強行されつつあるのでしょう？　建設会社は工事の中断は営業妨害であると主張しますが、その会社が下請け会社をたくさん雇い、その下請け会社自身が問題を生じさせる状態を助長しているのです。

建設会社、海軍、検察および警察は20件もの営業妨害の罪により私を起訴しましたが、私が行ったことは彼らの不法な行為を妨害することでした。実際私が行ったのは、権力の偏狭な利害を進展させるため人々を搾取するような、法律の不正操作

を止めるのが目的でした。権力の全部門、すなわち立法府、行政府、司法府は社会の権力者に味方し、市民の不服従と反対意見のためのいかなる余地をも小さくしようとの試みで絶対的な力を行使し不法な暴力をふるいます。私の行動が自己防衛を法的に訴えるための最後の手段として着手された限りにおいて、私は無罪です。

私は5月19日の出来事に関する起訴に反論します。その当日、Seogwipo警察とJeju検察が営業妨害を行ったとして私を現行犯逮捕しましたが、その時の状況は以下のとおりです。：建設作業員と警察は、適切は法的措置が施行されているとの確認をせずに「代執行」」により、建設用地に隣接する施設の破壊を行っていました。その時点で村人と人権活動家7人が既に逮捕されており、それで私は他の女性たちと一緒に無言でこう書いてあるバナーを掲げました―「石ひとつ、花一本、触れるな」

私は警察がそのとき私にミランダ権利を読みあげたかどうか覚えていません。私が覚えているすべては、彼らが「サンヒー・チョイさん、我々はこれによりあなたを犯人として逮捕する」と言ったことだけです。このあと、５，６人の私服警官が、私をパトカーに押し込み、そして警察とJeju検察が営業妨害の嫌疑で私の身柄を拘束しました。彼らは私が5月19日に営業を妨害したと言います、しかし無言でバナーを持ち抗議を表明することがどのように、建設会社の財産に被害を与えるに等しいような不法行為となるのでしょう？　さらに、彼らは5月19日の私への「逮捕」と5月21日の私への「拘束」を正当化するため、私が建設作業トラックの車体の下に潜り込んだことを示す一文を起訴状に入れ込みましたが、これはその後私が抗議したため、罪状認否時に派当局が「現行犯」という言葉とともにその一文を起訴状から取り去る結果となっただけでした。　このように彼らは私の身柄を「拘束」するために「ニセの起訴事実」でまず私を「逮捕」したのです。私は、この面倒な手続き全体が私の「拘束」を意図したものであったと考えずにはいられません。私が会員であるGangjeong村連名と平和運動グループは、これに応じて5月23日に公式に声明を発表し警察と検察を批判して、「検察は、サンヒーチョイに対する逮捕令状の正当性を決定する際に、起訴を行う目的から追加情報を改ざんした」こと、さらに「検察は営業妨害を行ったとの偽りの容疑でサンヒーチョイを起訴した」ことを示しました。

私は我々の税金によりその職員の給料がまかなわれているSeogwipo警察署とJeju検察局が行う権力の乱用を絶えず暴露し、そのような乱用を規制する必要を強調することが重要だと感じます。私は権力の乱用に対して抗議します、なぜならもし私が沈黙していれば、私のような犠牲者がもっと増えると恐れるからです。最近、それら警察と検察はGangjeong住民に対する召喚状を多発し、また住民が発生させたとされる損害への280,000ドルにものぼる多額の賠償を請求して住民に嫌がらせをしています。これは住民がそれにより、平和運動家たちが当局職員を挑発させ乱暴に振る舞うようにしたと彼らを非難するようになる緊張状態を住民の間に生み出し、そうすることで活動家と住民の間にくさびを打ち込むことを狙った、当局の抑圧的な戦術に他なりません。

私は役人にみる抑圧的態度の中に、あの恐るべき4.3虐殺に責任があるのと同じ種類の態度をかぎわけています。Jeju島の歴史は外部勢力に対する終わりなき闘いのそれでしたが、今度は中央政府と韓国海軍の力に対峙しています。Jeju検察とSeogwipo警察は島民の代表として働くかわりに、中央政府と結託して住民への裏切りをおこなっています。ある調査が示すところではGangjeong村住民の44％がひどい憂鬱に苦しみ、そのうち34.7%が自殺を試みたことがあります。6月17日、ひとりの村人が除草剤を飲んで自殺を図ったことが伝えられました。6月20日には、平和的なデモを行っているグループを解散させるため海軍兵が暴力的手段に訴えました。元議員のHyun Ae-jaさんは「軍隊が暴力で市民に対処するのは、たとえ戦時中であっても犯罪である」との声明を出しました。しかし中央政府は村人の願いに反して、自然の宝と指定されていた貴重な珊瑚礁の海岸線を海軍が破壊するのを沈黙して見守っています。

韓国の憲法は韓国市民の人間としての尊厳、および幸福を追求する権利を保障しています。悲しいことにこれは今のGangjeongにはあてはまらないのです。裁判長、あなたは憲法に基づく良心の声が聞こえると私は信じます。この海軍基地が米国のミサイル防衛システムに連結しているため、多くの人々がJeju島とその将来の世代が攻撃にさらされることになるとの懸念の声をあげました。戦争を確実に招くであろう軍事基地に反対する平和で非暴力の意思表示を行うことは私の義務であり権利です。私は約1000人の人々がGangjeongでのこの海軍基地建設に対する自分の反対を表明するため、ワシントンD.C.の韓国大使館に電話をしたと聞きました。Jejuに海軍基地を建設する危険性は、韓国人だけでなく国際社会にとっての懸念となっています。抗議電話に対応したひとりの韓国大使館員が、電話をかけた抗議者に対し、米国政府に連絡すべきだ、なぜなら韓国政府よりはむしろ米国政府がこの海軍基地事業を推進しているからだと語ったことを私は知っています。

裁判長、なぜこの海軍基地問題が第二の4.3事件に発展しつつあるのでしょう？その主な理由の一つは、Jeju4.3大虐殺とJeju海軍基地闘争の両方とも、外部勢力（たとえば米国など）による島民の諸権利への侵害と、島民の平和的生存権に対するそれらの勢力による脅威から生じたからです。それが、国際社会のいくつかの主要勢力がJeju島に対し地勢学的な拠点としての思惑を抱いているという事実をJeju住民（だれよりも外部勢力に抵抗してきた）と朝鮮半島の市民が認識しなければならない理由です。彼らは彼らの故郷がそれら主要勢力の戦場となりうることを理解し、この海軍基地を止めなければなりません。

米中間の最近の緊張はJejuの平和への我々の懸念が正しいことを示します。6月21日の米国と日本協議では、中国を孤立させるためいくつかの同盟結成の重要性が強調され、米国、オーストラリア、日本、インド、韓国の参加を提案しました。この会議において、スタンダードミサイル３（米国のレイセオンと日本の三菱重工により開発中）の韓国への（*将来的）売却の強い可能性が表面化しました。7月9日に米国、日本、オーストラリアはインドネシアのブルネイ近辺で共同軍事訓練を行いました。その同日、米国の原子力潜水艦テキサスが韓国水域に入り港に停泊しました。専門家によれば、韓国と米国は中国に対する想定有事行動に備え、６か月おきに空中給油行動の訓練期間を持つことを計画しています。米国の燃料補給機は沖縄の米空軍基地から運行すると言われています。8月4日、韓国空軍の元参謀長が、Jeju海軍基地が完成すれば停泊することになるであろう駆逐艦および戦闘機を製造する米国のロッキード・マーチン社に韓国の軍事機密を暴露したことが報道されました。

Jeju島に海軍基地を建設するという米国の圧力があったのでしょうか？　私はGangjeong村民の嘆きのうめき声の中にロッキード・マーチン、ボーイング、レイセオンのような兵器製造会社のパーティ会場でシャンペングラスがカチンカチンと鳴る音が聞こえます。イラク・アフガン戦によるその経済停滞のあとで米国が自国の輸出品目No.1である兵器販売を再活性できる地域と国はどこでしょう？　それが大韓民国のJeju島です。

平和の島は危機に直面しています。

裁判長、私がお話ししたい重要な問題がもう一つあります。それは環境保護の問題です。JejuのWoo Geun-min知事は、島の利益を大切にしてもらうため彼を選出したを代表できませんでした。彼はJejuの特異な環境の保護における自分の義務を軽視し、地質学公園の管理の点でUNESCOにより定められた規則と規制を遵守しませんでした。

7月12日のJejuデイリー紙によれば、UNESCO規定第三条では、自然の宝としてのUNESCOの指定をJejuが保有するために知事による継続的努力が求められています。また第4条では自然の宝の保存における島民の協力を求めています。Yoo Won-il議員は、この海軍基地はUNESCOの生物学上の保護区域からわずかに1.5kmしか離れていないことを指摘しています。すなわち、この海軍基地の建設は確かにUNESCOにその指定を取り消させることになるでしょう。

同地域に保護を与えるかわりに、Woo Geun-min知事はそれを破壊すべく海軍と共謀しています。彼はまた、その地域に民間による観光業を導入しようとしています。彼は最近、韓国国防省が彼に観光業の促進を約束したと述べました。海軍基地建設に関わる企業の一つであるサムソンは、すでに観光業のための広告を開始しています。これらの点をすべて吟味すると、我々はたったひとつの結論に至ります。政府、軍、企業が島民の願いに反し、環境を破壊するため共謀しているということです。

裁判長、私はこれ以上の平和活動家とGangjeong村住民が、今の私のように見せしめとなってこの法廷に立つことがないように願います。この法廷には、平和の島を保つため非暴力の訴えを行ったことにより私だけが立つのでしょうか？　あるいは、中央政府、軍隊、そして資本家にJejuを売り渡した知事も、被告人としてこの法廷に立つべきではないのでしょうか？　人々の意志に反してこの島を外部勢力に譲り渡した、Kim Hwang-sik首相と国防相についてはどうでしょう？　国民は彼らの給料を支払っているのに、彼らは私のような弱い人々を抑圧しています。

よく知られる平和活動家だった故ハワード・ジンによれば「市民の不服従は我々の問題ではない。我々の問題は市民の服従だ。我々の問題は、自分たちの政府の指導者の命令に従い戦争に行った世界中の人々がどれくらいいるかという、その数だ。数百万の人々がこの服従のために殺された….我々の問題は、世界中で人々が服従していることだ、貧困と飢餓と愚かしさと戦争と残虐を目の辺りにしていても。我々の問題は、軽犯罪の窃盗犯たちで刑務所が満杯状態であるのに人々が服従しており、その間にもずっと大強盗たちがこの国を牛耳っていることだ。それが我々の問題だ」と言います。

平和の島を建設することが、単なる言葉上のことでなく実際に実現可能であることが私の希望です。多くの人々が、この海軍基地の代わりに平和公園と国連平和大学を建設することについて語っています。我々の若者とその子どもたちが、徴兵制と授業料の圧力から免れて、自分の夢を実現し平和な世界を建設するため共に働く、そのような世界について考えるとき、温かいものを感じませんか？その希望が、正義を求める私の情熱を生き生きとしたものに保ち、私に勇気を与えるのです。

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South Korea's Jeju Island in Crisis: Urgent Report will be presented at DUO V Okinawa

2011-08-06T01:20:00.003+09:00

Okinawa Outreach and the Okinawan and Korean Solidarity Group Against US Bases are jointly holding an "Urgent Report" session on Jeju Island, South Korea at the conference of Dialogue Under Occupation V Okinawa.

The session will feature Park Jeong Gyeong Su, South Korean activist, and David Vine, American scholar on international militarization. They will provide the most updated information on the construction of the naval base on Jeju Island and the people's efforts to stop the construction.

The session is scheduled as follows:

Date & Time : Aug.7, 2011 10:15-12:00

Place: Shalom Room 1-1, Okinawa Christian University

We hope that the session contributes to the growing international solidarity to stop the further militarization of the Asia and Pacific region and to make the region a peaceful and stable one without military bases.

Please see below for more information:

Organized by Okinawa Outreach & Okinawan and Korean Solidarity Group Against US Bases

Jeju Island [South Korea] in Crisis

Park Jeong Gyeong Su

Secretary General

National Campaign for Eradication of Crimes by U.S. Troops in Korea

David Vine

American University, USA

Chair: Wakabayashi, Chiyo (Okinawa University)

Naval base construction on Jeju Island in South Korea is now being carried out by force. The base is planned to become a port for US Aegis destroyers. This past May, four citizen activists and eight residents opposing the construction were arrested. Citizen activist Sung-Hee Choi now remains behind bars. Furthermore, two more people were arrested on July 14, and fourteen residents were sued for damages connected to the interruption of construction. The navy has also filed a petition for a preliminary injunction for interference of duty against seventy residents engaged a sit-in. In a press conference on July 18, the residents declared that August would be a period of intensive struggle in their resistance against the base construction.

Mr. Park Jeong Gyeong Su, Secretary General of the National Campaign for Eradication of Crimes by U.S. Troops in Korea, along with David Vine, who just the other day visited Jeju Island and interviewed Sung-Hee Choi, will report on the most recent developments there.

David Vine's article is here:

Jeju Island Activist Sung-Hee Choi Interviewed in Prison

contact: Dr. Masami Kawamura (Okinawa Outreach) 070-5482-0084

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企画:Okinawa Outreach オキナワ・アウトリーチ、
米軍基地に反対する運動をとおして沖縄と韓国の民衆連帯をめざす会
（沖韓民衆連帯）

「占領下における対話」Dialogue Under Occupation

緊急レポート「韓国済州島の危機」

2011年8月7日(日）

10:15-12:00

沖縄キリスト教学院大学　シャローム1-1

パク・チョン・キョンス

（駐韓米軍犯罪根絶運動本部・事務局長）

ディヴィッド・ヴァイン（アメリカン大学）

進行：若林千代（沖縄大学）

現在、韓国の済州島では海軍基地建設工事が強行されています。この基地は、米国イージス艦母港となることが予定されています。この5月には、建設反対運動を行っていた市民活動家4名、住民8名が逮捕され、市民活動家チェ・ソンヒさんはまだ獄中にいます。そして7月14日には、新たに 2名が逮捕され、住民14名に工事中断に対する損害賠償訴訟や、海軍側が住民 70名の座り込みを業務妨害として仮処分を申請するなどの様相です。住民は、8月を集中闘争期間として抵抗することを、7月18日の記者会見で宣言しています。

しかし、現在この件は、日本のみならず、沖縄でも報道されていません。済州島の最新状況を、パク・チョン・キョンス（駐韓米軍犯罪根絶運動本部・事務局長）さんから、また、先日、済州島を訪れ、チェ・ソンヒさんにインタビューしたディヴィッド・ヴァインさんから、報告します。

連絡先：河村雅美Okinawa Outreach 070-5482-0084

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Here is the excerpt from Jeju Islands Press Packet

from Face Book Group"Save Prof Yang and Sung Hee-Choi of Jeju island"

Notable Articles

-Protests Challenge Naval Base Construction on Jeju Island: Hunger Strike Precipitates a National and International Movement

http://japanfocus.org/site/view/3560

-Jeju islanders want love, not war

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/LF30Dg01.html

-Protecting Natural Reserve from Naval Base Construction http://bit.ly/l5jyYB

-Stop the Construction of Naval Base at Gangjeong in Jeju Islandhttp://bit.ly/kveOcB

-Maritime security takes center stage | Jeju’s planned naval base to generate more controversy in 2011 http://bit.ly/moCNDK

-Battle to Protect Natural Reserve from Naval Base Construction http://bit.ly/jHiPCo

-Korea women want nature instead of naval base on Jeju Island http://bit.ly/lCDGGV

-Asia Pacific Forum Radio Interview with Bruce Gagnon | "Villagers resist base construction on Jeju Island" http://bit.ly/k4vKu2

-Koreans resume hunger strikes opposing proposed naval base

http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/koreans-resume-hunger-strikes-opposing-proposed-naval-base

-Escalating An Asian Arms Race - Jeju Island http://bit.ly/jFVfLN

-Interview with Lee In-Kyu (Cultural Heritage Administration Advocate)

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2938964

-Interview with Benjamin Monnet (activist) on national newspaper "The Hankyoreh".

http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/area/486830.html

- Appel d'urgence par le reseau civil national d'opposition a la base navale de l'ile de Jeju:http://www.amitiefrancecoree.org/article-appel-urgent-pour-l-ile-de-jeju-79736027.html

- The Korea Herald is calling for a joint commission before catastrophe (2.08.2011) http://www.koreaherald.com/opinion/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110802000019

Videos

-No Navy Base on Jeju Island - an Island of Peace

http://bit.ly/iOINzQ Duration 5min 26 sec

-Island of Stone (Leading Korean activist w/english subtitles)

http://bit.ly/mvbjtU Duration 15min 47sec

-Save the Gangjeong Stream from the naval base construction plan.

http://bit.ly/kIVc9d Duration 34 sec

-Beautiful Gangjeong Sea as It Is: No Jeju Naval Base!

http://bit.ly/lxSFKt Duration: 3min 12 sec

-Maritime construction was continued even on Saturday

http://bit.ly/lGgfHb Duration 1min 22sec

-Gangjung town in Jeju Island (Korean Text)

http://bit.ly/jc7caG Duration 10 min 54sec

-Protestors Confronting Cranes

http://bit.ly/k3mmIO Duration 3min 14sec

-Protestors Clashing with Security Services

http://bit.ly/ihM3Cn Duration 59sec

-Interview with Benjamin Monnet, peace activist camping, healing, writting in Gangjeong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT4yrbIrBt0 Duration 11min 37sec

-15th July three leaders activists arrested by Korean police http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74SL1KPq0K0

- Movie with activists and american navy

http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj/49kU/521

- "Democracy Now, the war and peace report" mentions about the arrest of 3 leading activists (US television) : https://www.democracynow.org/2011/7/19/headlines#8

- "21st of July. Activists try to dialogue with national chief of Korean police, but he refused the dialogue and agressively threatened Mr Kang (village chief): "I will get you!" http://tvpot.daum.net/clip/ClipView.do?clipid=34424743&rtes=y

No Base Protest Photos via Google PicasaWeb

http://bit.ly/mFLLNb

Images of Jeju Island’s Pristine Natural Landscape

http://bit.ly/lf7rY7

Qualified Contacts for Media Interviews

-Bruce Gagnon (English Speaking - US Based) globalnet@mindspring.com

-Meri Joyce (English/Japanese Speaking - Japan Based) meri.joyce@gmail.com

-Regina Pyon (English/Korean Speaking - Korea Based) reginapy@hanmail.net

-Makiko Sato (English/Japanese/Korean Speaking) seamesky@sand.ocn.ne.jp

-Kang Ho Song (Korean/English Speaking - Korea Based) tfi@thefrontiers.org

and wcfkorea@naver.com

-Yune Pak (Korean/English Speaking - Korea Based) tfi@thefrontiers.org and parkyounae@hotmail.com

-Matthew Hoey (English Speaking - US Based) http://bit.ly/lxc9cQ

-Benjamin Monnet (French/English/Spanish- Korea Based, available to move) benjaminmonnet@yahoo.fr

Leading Blogs

-Bruce Gagnon (Leading Expert) "Organizing Notes"

http://bit.ly/iw8Nm8

-Korean people's struggles against US bases in Korea. (Korean/English)

Bringing awareness for Sung Hee Choi immediate release:

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/

(The Following Blogs are Written in Korean but can be translated to English by placing the *original* URL in Google - the hit search and click "Translate")

-Korean Blog (w/videos&photos) http://bit.ly/iP5Cnf

http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj (daily update)

-No base stories of Korea http://bit.ly/jLIWDI

Facebook active group (1500 members): "Save Prof Yang and Sung Hee-Choi of Jeju island"

Tweeters @kimseriiii @thinkunit @thomasnsw @eyedaho @ilgangjeong @matthew_hoey Twitter Hash Tags #gangjung #Jeju

Video Footage of "Dugong Trenches" shown in Court Hearing

2011-07-25T13:09:00.002+09:00

The 12^th court hearing of the "Henoko Environmental Impact Assessment Lawsuit" was held in the Naha District Court on July 16, 2011.

plaintiffs' meeting before court hearing, Okinawan style

Filed by 622 plaintiffs against the Okinawa Defense Bureau, the lawsuit represents one of many strategies in what has become an international endeavor to stop the construction of a US military base in the Henoko/Oura Bay area in the northern part of Okinawa Island.

The Henoko/Oura Bay area is one of the most biodiversity rich coastal areas in Japan and is critical habitat for endangered dugongs.

The lawsuit revolves around the legality and scientific validity of the Bureau’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the US military base construction. The plaintiffs call for a redo of the Bureau's EIA.

In the hearing, the plaintiffs’ lawyers presented a video footage of “dugong trenches” or dugongs' feeding trails, recently found at 5-6m deep in the sandy bottom by a local scuba-diving group in Oura Bay, about 600 meters south off the coastal community of Setake.(For discovery of dugong trenches, see this Ryukyu Shimpo article.)

During its EIA surveys, the Bureau was not able to find any dugong feeding trails in the Henoko/Oura Bay area, and in its Draft Environment Impact Statement it concluded that the the construction of the base in the planned area would not impact the dugongs. The Bureau in fact plans to build a work yard nearby where these "dugong trenches" were found.

In the hearing, the plaintiffs’ lawyers also presented newspaper articles and other documents relating to the Japanese government’s recent announcement that MV-22 Osprey would be deployed to US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station beginning in October 2012.

The Bureau has kept its “know nothing” stance about the deployment plan until the announcement, despite the deployment plan of the Osprey to Futenma was stated in the US Navy’s 1992 document “Master Plan for Marine Corps Air Station Futenma” and in the 1996 SACO draft.

The Bureau's lawyers are expected to respond to the footage and the articles and documents in later hearings.

p.s.

I had not been able to attend any of the previous hearings; the previous 11 hearings were all held on Wednesday and I teach on Wednesday. This time, the hearing was held on Friday and I was able to attend and I got to write about it!

Okinawa Defense Bureau Declined to Answer

2011-07-18T14:13:00.002+09:00

photo: ST

In the meeting on July 7, the Okinawa Defense Bureau declined to answer any part of Okinawa BD’s inquiries, reiterating the “[the Bureau] can’t answer or make a comment because the Takae lawsuit is still pending”(for the Takae lawsuit, see below). The Bureau also maintained that it would proceed with the construction plan.

In the previous two meetings between Okinawa BD and the Bureau, the Bureau used the same excuse, "the Takae Lawsuit," to evade the questions Okinawa BD submitted in its “Open Question Letter” (in Japanese) to the Bureau.

It remains to be seen however how long the Bureau can keep their silence on the Osprey deployment plan.

Prominent political voices in Okinawa, led by Okinawa Prefectural Governor Nakaima, are now also demanding for a full explanation from the Bureau and the Defense Ministry (Governor Nakaima and Mayor Asato's Joint Question Letter to the Defense Ministry in Japanese).

Below are Okinawa BD’s inquiries and demands and the Bureau’s (non) responses in the meeting on July 7.

As for US Marines’ deployment plan of the MV-22 Osprey, please see this Ryukyu Shimpo article.

Okinawa BD’s Inquiries:

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1) Will the MV-22 Osprey training take place in the Northern Training Area ?

Will the MV-22 Osprey use the US helipads under construction in Takae ?
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The Okinawa Defense Bureau responded by saying that it declined to answer or make a comment on these questions "because the Takae lawsuit* is still pending."

*Takae Lawsuit

In November 2008, the Okinawa Defense Bureau filed in the Naha district court a “temporary injunction” against 15 residents of the Takae community who, since July 2007, had been conducting a peaceful sit-in protest against the helipad construction on the prefectural road near the construction sites.

In what many consider a SLAPP lawsuit, the Bureau charged these local residents for “obstruction of traffic.”

In December 2008, the Bureau dropped the charges against one member (a child). In December 2009, the Naha district court also dismissed the charges against 12 members. The trial for the remaining two residents began in January 2010.

In May 2010, pointing to the peculiar nature of the lawsuit, the Naha court ordered both the Bureau and the two residents to enter negotiation outside of court. Negotiation has not however taken place as the Okinawa Defense Bureau keeps refusing to negotiate.

The next hearing of the Takae lawsuit is scheduled to be held in the end of August.

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2) The local media reported that US Military will conduct an “Environmental Review” on the deployment plan of MV-22 Osprey to U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station until March, 2012.

What is an “Environmental Review”? What does it entail?

Will an “Environmental Review” be conducted on the construction of helipads in Takae?
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To the first part of the questions, the Okinawa Defense Bureau responded by saying that it had not been informed by the US of the details of the proposed “Environmental Review" and that, since it is the US that conduct such reviews, the Bureau had no knowledge of what the Environmental Review would entail. The Bureau also stated that it would make the details of the Environmental Review public as they come in.

To the second part, the Bureau responded by saying that it declined to answer or make a comment on the question of whether an Environmental Review will be conducted on or in relation to the helipad construction in Takae, "because the Takae lawsuit is still pending."

The Bureau also stated that it “does not know who the Japanese counterpart responsible for dealing with the issue of the Environmental Review is." The Bureau suggested that Okinawa BD make inquires directly to the US and US military regarding the issues of the Environmental Review.

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3）It is well known that, in the US, “Environment Impact Assessment” (EIA) has been conducted on the deployment plans of the Osprey. The Okinawa local media reported that, in Okinawa, the US government/military plans to carry out only an “Environment Review.” We regard this as a “double-standard” on the part of the US.

What is the Okinawa Defense Bureau's stance on this issue?
Does the Bureau plan to request the US government/military to conduct an EIA for deployment of the Osprey to the Futenma Air Station and the Northern Training Area?

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To the first part, the Okinawa Defense Bureau responded by saying that the Japanese government is in no position to make any judgments on the US systems of Environmental Review and EIA since it is the US that conducts them.

To the second part, the Bureau responded by saying that it declined to answer or make a comment on the question of whether the Bureau would plan to request the US government/military to conduct an EIA for deployment of the Osprey to the Futenma Air Station and the Northern Training Area "because the lawsuit is still pending."

Demands
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１）We demand the Okinawa Defense Bureau to suspend the construction of helipads in Takae it is now resuming and to withdraw the construction plan (We believe that the Bureau cannot resume the construction while the US military is conducting its Environmental Review).

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The Okinawa Defense Bureau responded by stating that it would proceed with the construction upon ensuring the safety of construction sites/procedures in order to assure the early return of the land in the Northern Training area, which was promised to be returned to Okinawa in the 1996 SACO agreement.

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２）Please answer the questions in Okinawa BD’s "Open Question Letter" submitted to the Bureau on June 24, 2010.

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The Okinawa Defense Bureau responded by saying that it declined to answer or make a comment "because the lawsuit is pending."

For details, please see Okinawa BD’s blog (in Japanese ) → here

photo:ST

mmk&hy