Once again this author has to offer his apologies for the failure to write in these columns which has extended to almost six months this time. The author would like to do so with his Season's Greetings for the Happy New Year 2019 to all of you.
Probably the greatest development in the political field in Japan during this time concerned the new US gigantic Air Base at Henoko, Okinawa Prefecture, which the present Abe Shinzo Government of Japan wants to build there. In fact the Government has begun to reclaim the adjoining sea by throwing in sand on 14 December last year, and the work has been going on for more than a month as of today. They have brought 7103 truckloads of sand already with enormous amount of time and money. The work has been on in spite of the strong expression of opposition against the construction by the residents of Okinawa including the newly elected Governor, other Japanese nationals, and even some people of other countries, and ignoring various laws, ordinances, and orders of the Okinawan Prefectural Administration.
I have to stress here, however, that it would be impossible for the Abe Government and their agencies to complete the work. It takes 21 million cubic metres of sand to finish the entire reclamation covering 160 ha of sea. During the first phase, which would take 20 months, in which they wish to reclaim 6.3 ha, about 4% of the total, they need 137,500 cubic metres, only 0.7% of the total needed. If 20 months is only for the 4% of the total sea to be reclaimed, how long would it take to cover the entire area? Moreover, a good deal of the land at the bottom is said to be extremely soft.
It is obvious that the people of the country in general is waking up to the reality surrounding the construction. Already at the poll survey conducted soon after the work began, in the middle of December, 60% of the respondents expressed their opposition to it, with only 26% supporting it.
We will keep an eye on the ongoing development.
Probably the greatest development in the political field in Japan during this time concerned the new US gigantic Air Base at Henoko, Okinawa Prefecture, which the present Abe Shinzo Government of Japan wants to build there. In fact the Government has begun to reclaim the adjoining sea by throwing in sand on 14 December last year, and the work has been going on for more than a month as of today. They have brought 7103 truckloads of sand already with enormous amount of time and money. The work has been on in spite of the strong expression of opposition against the construction by the residents of Okinawa including the newly elected Governor, other Japanese nationals, and even some people of other countries, and ignoring various laws, ordinances, and orders of the Okinawan Prefectural Administration.
I have to stress here, however, that it would be impossible for the Abe Government and their agencies to complete the work. It takes 21 million cubic metres of sand to finish the entire reclamation covering 160 ha of sea. During the first phase, which would take 20 months, in which they wish to reclaim 6.3 ha, about 4% of the total, they need 137,500 cubic metres, only 0.7% of the total needed. If 20 months is only for the 4% of the total sea to be reclaimed, how long would it take to cover the entire area? Moreover, a good deal of the land at the bottom is said to be extremely soft.
It is obvious that the people of the country in general is waking up to the reality surrounding the construction. Already at the poll survey conducted soon after the work began, in the middle of December, 60% of the respondents expressed their opposition to it, with only 26% supporting it.
We will keep an eye on the ongoing development.
