Talking to the Locals About the Okinawa Helipad

There is a problem in Okinawa dubbed “another Henoko” that is following in the footsteps of anti-relocation demonstrations concerning the American military’s Futenma air field. There is a fight in the Takae district of Higashison concerning the building of a military helipad there in the northern part of the main island. Opposed locals are sitting in the road that leads to the construction site. The country sued the locals two years ago for this disturbance. Last week, the Naha district court found one person guilty of interference, and forbade any further interference. The locals appear ready to appeal.

It is time to put an end to this problem.

In 1996, the Japanese and American governments agreed that in reciprocation of returning 4000 hectares, approximately half of the northern Okinawa training facility, they would move the seven helipads to the six zones that were not being returned.

With 150 people, the Takae district faces the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded on the other three sides by the training area. Due to its location, it is in an area surrounded by helipads. The closest residence to a helipad is only 400 meters away.

At a general community meeting, the people of Takae twice decided their opposition, saying “it is the same as if they lived within the base.” American military helicopters that use the training area still roar over the residences. If the helipad is completed, the people are worried of the potential for more noise or even crashes to occur.

What will happen with the plan to tackle the noise problems along the flight routes and neighboring areas? There are many points that are still unknown. One is the deployment of the new Osprey Transport Aircraft. It is only natural for the people nearby, who this will affect most, to be wary. The Okinawa Defense Department has yet to set up a forum for discussion that the locals requested but began allocating heavy machinery and raw materials in 2007 in preparation for the construction. Due to these actions, the locals began to protest.

Since then, construction has stalled.

Being sued by their country over a problem with these kinds of pros and cons leaves an uneasy feeling among the locals. Unlike the government and their line of lawyers, the locals have a heavy burden, which includes commuting to the courthouse down from the north, where transportation is not so convenient. It is not that the people of Takae are opposing without reason. They are requesting a sufficient explanation from the government.

Before filing the lawsuit, it seems that the government did not take the necessary steps concerning construction of facilities within the training area currently used by the American military. The Japan-U.S. relationship is important. However, the very existence of an untenable facility without having the understanding from the locals weakens its foundation. We doubt that America would be excited about that.

The sympathy that the Okinawa Defense Department has for the American military also needs to be shown to the locals. They need to sincerely address concerns and propose solutions. It’s not too late to start now.