Joint NGO Emergency Press Conference Against the Landfill at Henoko

The pouring of sand and soil for the new US military base construction at Henoko, Okinawa has now begun. In the recent Okinawan gubernatorial elections, Governor Denny Tamaki was elected on the anti-new base platform with a huge majority of 80,000 votes. Further, a citizens' referendum is being planned for February 2019. The government of Japan has completely ignored these facts, process, and the will of the Okinawan people, to force through the construction. This is hugely problematic.

Oura Bay at Henoko is home to over 5,300 different species, including at least 262 which are in danger of extinction - and this is just the number which have been confirmed. Environmental damage as a result of the construction now being forcibly undertaken is a grave concern.

The actions now being carried out are seriously problematic from the perspectives of human rights, peace, the environment, the rule of law, and the democratic process.

A broad group of Japanese NGOs working both locally and internationally in the fields of the environment, develop, human rights and peace will hold a joint emergency press conference as follows.

Press Conference Details
When: December 20, 2018 (Thurs), 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Where: Room 102, House of Councillors Members Building (Sangiin Giin Kaikan)
Language: The press conference will be conducted in Japanese, however English interpretation will be available upon request. 
* Prior registration is not required, however an access pass must be collected at the entrance of the building between 2:00 - 2:30 pm.
* Due to space restrictions, only media personnel (including freelance and citizen journalists) may attend.

Speakers (in alphabetical order):

• Mr HANAWA Shinichi - NGO Network to Protect Henoko and Takae!
• Mr IMAI Takaki - Japan International Volunteer Centre (JVC)
• Ms ITO Kazuko - Human Rights Now
• Mr IZUTSU Takao - Veterans for Peace Japan
• Ms MITSUTA Kanna - International Environmental NGO FoE JAPAN
• Mr NOHIRA Shinsaku - Peace Boat
• Mr KOMATSU Toyoaki - Shapla Neer = Citizens' Committee in Japan for Overseas Support
• Ms TAKAHASHI Mari - Pacific Asia Resource Center (PARC)
• Mr TANIYAMA Hiroshi - NGO "No-War" Network

Contact:
International Environmental NGO FoE JAPAN
TEL: 03-6909-5983