April 27, 2007
Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe c/o Consulate General of Japan-Honolulu, Political Divison, 1742 Nu'uanu Ave. Honolulu, HI 96817
Dear Prime Minister Abe
This is an urgent appeal from Okinawa's friends in Hawai'i to the government of Japan calling for an immediate halt to the expansion of the U.S. military base in Henoko, Okinawa. We are shocked and outraged that the Japanese government has begun the marine survey for construction around Henoko Point despite the overwhelming opposition of the local residents.
We call on the Japanese government to respect the human rights of the people of Okinawa and immediately cease all activities related to the expansion of the U.S. military base in Henoko.
On April 18, 2007, we requested the consultative document submitted by the Japanese Defense Facilities Administration Bureau to the Okinawa Prefecture government regarding the marine survey. To date, the Japanese government has refused to release these documents that are essential to understanding the impacts of the project.
Instead the consulate staff told us to submit a freedom of information request, which is simply ridiculous. The project would be too far along, or even completed when, and if we ever received the documents. The fact that these plans have been made in secret without public review or input demonstrates contempt for the residents of Henoko.
We demand that all plans related to the military base expansion in Henoko be made public and that the Okinawan people be given decision making powers over those matters that will affect them.
Furthermore, our Chamoru brothers and sisters on Guam will be devastated by the proposed relocation of U.S. troops to their island. We demand that Japan not support or pay for the relocation of U.S. troops to Guam.
The dangerous remilitarization of Japan and the submission of the Japanese government to the demands of the U.S. military will forever be a mark of shame and dishonor on Japan in the eyes of the world. We urge you to choose the path of peace and to heed the Okinawan proverb: "Nuchi du takara" - Life is most precious.
Aloha,
The Hawai'i Okinawa Alliance
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Hawaii-Okinawa Alliance: Solidarity action to stop Henoko military expansion
Today the Hawai'i Okinawa Alliance and a number of groups in Honolulu held a solidarity action for Henoko at the Japanese Consulate in Honolulu.
We held signs and picketed in front of the Consulate. We made one giant sign cut out in the shape of a Dugong with the words: "Peace for Okinawa, Nuchi du takara, Save the Dugong and No U.S. Military Bases".
Several weeks ago, we had requested a meeting with the Consul General and the consultative document prepared by the Japanese Defense Facilities Administration Bureau describing the activities of the pre-survey and survey for construction of the U.S. military base expansion at Henoko. The Consulate denied both requests.
So we showed up in person and requested to meet the consulate staff. This time Yamada-san came out to talk with us. They tried to shoo us off their property, but we maintained that we had official business and stood our ground. Yamada offered to meet with two persons inside, away from the media, but we said that we would like everyone to hear and participate in the discussion. He seemed quite shaken by the action. Last time we tried to talk with them, they were quite dismissive of our small delegation. We told them at that time that we were offended by the lack of respect and that "We'll be back."
We read the message to Prime Minister Abe aloud and handed it to Yamada to deliver to the Japanese national government.
Yamada said he would convey our message to the government. We asked when we might hear a reply, but he was noncommittal. I gave him a red ribbon as he left.
Then, on cue, everyone fanned out in the parking area and began tying hundreds of red ribbons inscribed with solidarity and peace messages onto the consulate fence. The security guard scurried around in vain to try to stop us but soon the fence was aflutter with red messages of resistance, solidarity and hope. We told them that these were prayers for peace and that the red color referred to the red card in soccer signifying that the player is out of the came. We told them to convey these to the Japanese government as well.
Mahalo to AFSC Hawai'i, DMZ-Hawai 'i / Aloha 'Aina, Anakbayan - Honolulu, Not In Our Name Hawai'i, Kapakaukau, Save UH / Stop UARC coalition, the Korea Truth Commission in Hawai'i, and the Hawai'i People's Fund, all of whom helped organize and sent representatives to the action.
In addition to a television station, a reporter from the Okinawa Times was there to do a story.
We held signs and picketed in front of the Consulate. We made one giant sign cut out in the shape of a Dugong with the words: "Peace for Okinawa, Nuchi du takara, Save the Dugong and No U.S. Military Bases".
Several weeks ago, we had requested a meeting with the Consul General and the consultative document prepared by the Japanese Defense Facilities Administration Bureau describing the activities of the pre-survey and survey for construction of the U.S. military base expansion at Henoko. The Consulate denied both requests.
So we showed up in person and requested to meet the consulate staff. This time Yamada-san came out to talk with us. They tried to shoo us off their property, but we maintained that we had official business and stood our ground. Yamada offered to meet with two persons inside, away from the media, but we said that we would like everyone to hear and participate in the discussion. He seemed quite shaken by the action. Last time we tried to talk with them, they were quite dismissive of our small delegation. We told them at that time that we were offended by the lack of respect and that "We'll be back."
We read the message to Prime Minister Abe aloud and handed it to Yamada to deliver to the Japanese national government.
Yamada said he would convey our message to the government. We asked when we might hear a reply, but he was noncommittal. I gave him a red ribbon as he left.
Then, on cue, everyone fanned out in the parking area and began tying hundreds of red ribbons inscribed with solidarity and peace messages onto the consulate fence. The security guard scurried around in vain to try to stop us but soon the fence was aflutter with red messages of resistance, solidarity and hope. We told them that these were prayers for peace and that the red color referred to the red card in soccer signifying that the player is out of the came. We told them to convey these to the Japanese government as well.
Mahalo to AFSC Hawai'i, DMZ-Hawai 'i / Aloha 'Aina, Anakbayan - Honolulu, Not In Our Name Hawai'i, Kapakaukau, Save UH / Stop UARC coalition, the Korea Truth Commission in Hawai'i, and the Hawai'i People's Fund, all of whom helped organize and sent representatives to the action.
In addition to a television station, a reporter from the Okinawa Times was there to do a story.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Henoko: Call for urgent action
Almost immediately after the victory of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party candidate in the by-election for an Upper House seat on April 22nd, the Japanese government started the process of building a military facility in Henoko with a determination.
On April 24th, the Japanese Defense Facilities Administration Agency (Naha Bureau) and the Japan Coast Guard began “pre-survey” of the Marine survey of the proposed area for the new military facility in Henoko. The Rev. Natsume Taira and others in Henoko have been staging non-violent action to protest and stop the survey, but the JDFAA ships and divers far outnumbered the protestors and their canoes and boats.
JDFAA characterizes this on-going “pre-survey” as an examination of the present conditions of the area with regard to coral reef, Dugong, and other marine life. But this procedure violates the environmental assessment law that stipulates disclosure of construction methods and examination of the adequacy of the methods before finalizing the construction methods. It is only after then, such environmental survey of present conditions can be conducted. As the items of this on-going “pre-survey” seem to include what actual environmental survey of present conditions is required to examine, the adequate procedure of full and appropriate environmental assessment may not be taken in the future. Conducting this “pre-survey” undermines environmental assessment itself.
The Japanese government refused to disclose details of this “pre-survey.” Construction of the military facility in Henoko can be carried out without public scrutiny, ignoring democratic participation, and even the rights of the national Diet and Okinawa Prefectural Assembly to check.
People in Henoko are mounting their protest actions very carefully because they do not want anyone, including those divers hired by the government, to be injured. But on the first day of the survey, the JDFAA forced to conduct observation survey under bad weather, endangering the safety of their divers. It shows the Japanese government’s disrespect of human lives.
Today, April 27th, it is reported that the JDFAA completed the observation survey. It is now anticipated that after a series of national holidays of Golden Week, on May 7th, they will start to install survey equipments in the area.
This survey has to be stopped!
Please send your protest messages to Japan Defense Facility Administration Agency (Naha Bureau)
Fax number: +81-98-866-3375
Please send your support messages to people of Henoko.
Heiwa Shimin Renrakukai (Citizens Coalition for Peace, Naha, Okinawa)
Fax:+81-98-885 8230
Conference Opposing Heliport Construction (Nago, Okinawa)
Fax: +81-980-53-6992
Kozue Akibayashi
EA-US-Puerto Rico Women's Network Against Militarism (Japan)
On April 24th, the Japanese Defense Facilities Administration Agency (Naha Bureau) and the Japan Coast Guard began “pre-survey” of the Marine survey of the proposed area for the new military facility in Henoko. The Rev. Natsume Taira and others in Henoko have been staging non-violent action to protest and stop the survey, but the JDFAA ships and divers far outnumbered the protestors and their canoes and boats.
JDFAA characterizes this on-going “pre-survey” as an examination of the present conditions of the area with regard to coral reef, Dugong, and other marine life. But this procedure violates the environmental assessment law that stipulates disclosure of construction methods and examination of the adequacy of the methods before finalizing the construction methods. It is only after then, such environmental survey of present conditions can be conducted. As the items of this on-going “pre-survey” seem to include what actual environmental survey of present conditions is required to examine, the adequate procedure of full and appropriate environmental assessment may not be taken in the future. Conducting this “pre-survey” undermines environmental assessment itself.
The Japanese government refused to disclose details of this “pre-survey.” Construction of the military facility in Henoko can be carried out without public scrutiny, ignoring democratic participation, and even the rights of the national Diet and Okinawa Prefectural Assembly to check.
People in Henoko are mounting their protest actions very carefully because they do not want anyone, including those divers hired by the government, to be injured. But on the first day of the survey, the JDFAA forced to conduct observation survey under bad weather, endangering the safety of their divers. It shows the Japanese government’s disrespect of human lives.
Today, April 27th, it is reported that the JDFAA completed the observation survey. It is now anticipated that after a series of national holidays of Golden Week, on May 7th, they will start to install survey equipments in the area.
This survey has to be stopped!
Please send your protest messages to Japan Defense Facility Administration Agency (Naha Bureau)
Fax number: +81-98-866-3375
Please send your support messages to people of Henoko.
Heiwa Shimin Renrakukai (Citizens Coalition for Peace, Naha, Okinawa)
Fax:+81-98-885 8230
Conference Opposing Heliport Construction (Nago, Okinawa)
Fax: +81-980-53-6992
Kozue Akibayashi
EA-US-Puerto Rico Women's Network Against Militarism (Japan)
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Chamorro Nation sounds off at scoping meeting
by Clynt Ridgell, KUAM News
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Last night the scoping meeting assessing the impacts of the relocation of 8,000 U.S. Marines and their families to Guam was held in the southern village of Yona at that village's community center. At least what one group had fairly strong opinions about military buildup as a whole and the scoping meetings in particular.
Last night's scoping meetings didn't go off without its share of protestors. Outside the center members of I Nasion Chamoru ("The Chamoru Nation") voiced their displeasure with the U.S. Government in what they referred to as "a continuation of the colonization of Guam". Spokesperson Debbie Quinata announced, "We're protesting a number of things - we're protesting this planned reoccupation of our homeland and we're also protesting the manner of the way these supposed scoping meetings are being conducted. We understand it's a dog and pony show and believe that the intent is to fulfill a federal mandate and not really to gauge or even consider the feelings of the community members of this island."
Inside the scoping meeting, however, it was a different scene
Residents browsed through the various posters, charts, and handouts all designed to educate people as to the what the military plans on studying in its environmental impact statement (EIS). Most of the participants appeared to be genuinely interested in what the military had to say about their planned studies. There was a host of military officials on hand to answer questions and clarify any of the information being presented. There was even a Chamoru translator on hand as well as informational handouts written in both English and Guam's indigenous tongue.
So last night's meeting has come and gone and tonight's is just underway. After these scoping meetings the military will begin its study in preparation for the draft EIS. Once that's published there will be about a 45-day public review period followed by public hearings, which will allow residents to actually verbally testify. Chief of the Joint Guam Program Office David Bice has reassured KUAM News that residents will not be held to a three-minute time limit and that they will try to accommodate those who want to testify as best they can.
After the public hearings the military will work on publishing its final draft EIS along with a record of decision by at least the year 2010. But before of all that can happen and after they finish tonight's scoping meeting they'll head to the Northern Marianas to hold two public scoping meetings there in Saipan and Tinian.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Last night the scoping meeting assessing the impacts of the relocation of 8,000 U.S. Marines and their families to Guam was held in the southern village of Yona at that village's community center. At least what one group had fairly strong opinions about military buildup as a whole and the scoping meetings in particular.
Last night's scoping meetings didn't go off without its share of protestors. Outside the center members of I Nasion Chamoru ("The Chamoru Nation") voiced their displeasure with the U.S. Government in what they referred to as "a continuation of the colonization of Guam". Spokesperson Debbie Quinata announced, "We're protesting a number of things - we're protesting this planned reoccupation of our homeland and we're also protesting the manner of the way these supposed scoping meetings are being conducted. We understand it's a dog and pony show and believe that the intent is to fulfill a federal mandate and not really to gauge or even consider the feelings of the community members of this island."
Inside the scoping meeting, however, it was a different scene
Residents browsed through the various posters, charts, and handouts all designed to educate people as to the what the military plans on studying in its environmental impact statement (EIS). Most of the participants appeared to be genuinely interested in what the military had to say about their planned studies. There was a host of military officials on hand to answer questions and clarify any of the information being presented. There was even a Chamoru translator on hand as well as informational handouts written in both English and Guam's indigenous tongue.
So last night's meeting has come and gone and tonight's is just underway. After these scoping meetings the military will begin its study in preparation for the draft EIS. Once that's published there will be about a 45-day public review period followed by public hearings, which will allow residents to actually verbally testify. Chief of the Joint Guam Program Office David Bice has reassured KUAM News that residents will not be held to a three-minute time limit and that they will try to accommodate those who want to testify as best they can.
After the public hearings the military will work on publishing its final draft EIS along with a record of decision by at least the year 2010. But before of all that can happen and after they finish tonight's scoping meeting they'll head to the Northern Marianas to hold two public scoping meetings there in Saipan and Tinian.
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