Expanding Territorial Waters of Henoko: ‘Special Measures Law’ of Forced Relocation

The attitude of the Japanese and U.S. governments has become apparent, as they push for the military base relocation against the will of the people. And there is, in fact, a “Special Measures Law” in place to allow for the construction of new facilities.

On the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station to the coastal region of Henoko in Nago City, a joint committee held by the Japanese and U.S. governments decided on June 20 to significantly expand the limited-access waters surrounding the area. The Japanese government, which has decided to begin drilling surveys on the sea bed in July, is aiming to avoid maritime interdiction operations by opposed parties.

“Memorandum 5.15,” an agreement that defines the terms of use for military bases (including Camp Schwab), forbids access to the waters within 50 meters of land. Under the recent agreement, this could be extended out 2.3 kilometers. This area of approximately 561.8 hectares entirely covers the area of intended reclamation.

These restricted waters are an “oceanic U.S. military base.” The area is not only a place of work for fishermen, but a place where everyone can enjoy diving and ecotourism. We absolutely cannot consent to a unilateral restriction of access.

Originally, access to waters was forbidden or restricted in order to preserve the security of facilities on land, or because those places were under use by the U.S. military. This time, access is also being restricted to provide security for the construction of alternate facilities.

The Japanese government plans to set up buoys that will serve as markers along the boundaries of the restricted waters. It is likely that opposed parties who enter restricted waters on maritime interdiction operations will be seized under the Special Criminal Act.

Based on the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, as well as regulations on fishing boat operations, Japan is moving forward with procedures to ban fishing in the same designated area. The intention of the law is to allow for the restriction or prohibition of fishing boat operations in the event that the U.S. military is using the waters; this is nothing other than a distortion of that original intention.

At the same time, an unknown person destroyed sign boards and photo panels on display at a tent of the Anti-Helicopter Base Council, which continues to carry out protest activities opposed to the military relocation to Henoko. Newspaper articles and hanging banners were torn down, as were origami cranes made by children.

This is the first time an event like this has occurred since citizens began sit-in protests in 2004. With the government’s drilling surveys approaching, this lowly act is an effort to suppress expression with violence. It would seem that the unspeakably cowardly event occurred sometime between the evening of June 19, when citizens raised the tent, and the early morning hours of the 20th. An expression of views should be countered with another expression of views.

I cannot help but feel that there is some connection here, between these acts of barbarism and the government’s authoritarian posture, to push for a military relocation to Henoko at all costs.

However, the spirit of opposition possessed by joint representative Hiroshi Ashitomi does not waver. And we too should denounce acts of violence that would undermine democracy.

Upon entering his bid for a second term, Governor Hirokazu Nakaima made a public promise to “relocate outside of the prefecture,” but he broke that promise and approved reclamation plans. His crime is incalculably grave. It was abundantly clear that, in January’s mayoral election, opposition to relocation plans was a driving force and a point of contention. Despite the re-election of Mayor Susumu Inamine, who is opposed to relocation, the national government is using the governor’s approval as a shield and continuing with relocation procedures.

In “Visions of Okinawa in the 21st Century,” a model for the future created by the prefecture, “an island that treats culture, tradition and uniquely Okinawan nature and history with great care” is presented first. Governor Nakaima is betraying the vision that he himself created.