The Okinawa dugong is, more than ever, under the threat of extinction as
Prime Minister Noda is pressing for completion of the EIA for building
a US military base offshore Henoko. The EIA is only a 'ceremony' necessary
to proceed to a next step. We have started an international petition so
that the Noda administration realize that the people of the world care
and are closely watching. Please join us in this petition campaign by clicking
the 'link' mark below.
Japanese Prime
Minister Yoshihiko Noda: Stop building a new US military base offshore Henoko,
Okinawa
-Offshore Henoko spreads a beautiful water still rich in wildlife. The
place holds a wide colony of seagrass, the only food dugongs eat. The Okinawa dugong
is the northern-most member of the species. The mermaid legend is
based on these marine mammals. It is on the verge of extinction, only about a
dozen or so remain. Mr. Noda, as you are well aware, the Okinawans are strongly
opposed to building a new US base in their land or sea; their Prefecture, only
0.6% of the country, holds more than 70% of the US bases in Japan. Mr. Prime
Minister, you ignore the Okinawan's protest and planning to landfill this
peaceful Henoko water in order to build a huge airbase. The marine ecosystem
would be lost together with the surviving Okinawa dugong. Mr. Noda, you are
offering a huge sum of money to the Okinawans so that they swallow the burden. The
money will only split the people, used to unnecessary development so destructive
to natural environment. The new base, if completed, would be surrounded by the
local people's ill will. Mr. Noda, as the Prime Minister of Japan, the host
nation of COP 10, has the duty to lead the world in an effort to preserve the
biodiversity. Please stop a further destruction of the Mother Earth !