A plan to relocate the major Futenma American airbase on the island of Okinawa, Japan, to a coastal site in Henoko Bay has provoked strong opposition from residents, the local government and numerous NGOs, according to Mongabay.com
Opponents of the move claim the development will cause catastrophic environmental damage to Henoko Bay and seal the fate of the region's iconic dugong, an elusive and gentle marine mammal and cousin of the manatee.
According to Mongabay, Okinawa's governor, Takeshi Onaga, addressed an estimated 35,000 protesters opposed to construction of the new air base on May 17, 2015. Onaga was even elected on an anti-air base platform last November.
However, the US embassy in Tokyo reiterated in a statement that the Henoko location remains the "only solution" for the new air base - as far as the US is concerned.
The wishes of the people of Okinawa should be respected. Will you join me in urging the USA to find another alternative to help protect the dugong and minimalize impact on the environment? An alternative could include improving the current facility to minimize any impact.
Please sign and share the petition to save the dugong today!
