Claiming “the detection of emissions of high concentrations of PFAS”, residents in the vicinity of US Military bases in Okinawa petition for mediation, beginning with petitioning the National Government. (29oc25)

Splendor of Okinawa: Jersey Lily, roadside Uruma, 26oc25


PFAS are harmful chemical compounds pointed out as cancer-causing. High concentrations of PFAS chemicals have been detected in areas surrounding US Military bases in Okinawa Prefecture. Thus, citizen groups, made up of local residents of such areas, have requested the Okinawa Prefectural Pollution Review Board for public hazard mediation in petitioning  the National Government for action, such as an on-site inspection of the bases.


According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications,  as of 27 October, requests for public hazard mediation regarding PFAS chemicals are beginning across the nation.


As for PFAS, in 2016, the Prefecture announced publicly that PFAS chemicals had been discovered in tap water sources for water purification plants providing water for 450 thousand people in 7 communities, including Okinawa City. That same water source was in the vicinity of US Kadena Base within the borders of Okinawa City and other communities.


Later, touching on the result of inspections, which the Prefecture itself had carried out in the vicinity of the US Military Futenma Airfield and other bases, the group claimed, “The likelihood is high that the source of the pollution exists within the US Military bases”


In their petition, the group claims, “We’ve had insufficient cooperation in preventing widespread  water supply contamination. It’s because of Government inaction on this continuing severe damage to our environment and livelihoods.” The group is petitioning the Nation and the Prefecture to realize on-site investigations within US Military bases by local communities.


On 28 October, Governor Denny Tamaki remarked to the press corps, “The anxieties of our prefecture’s people are on the rise. It’s essential to discuss the source of this pollution and such at the National level.”


Original Japanese article: Yomiuri Shimbun, published Tuesday 28 October 2025 at 19:27.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/79694473e014fd969fbacc22944c047e8b0f835c


Denny in the News:

Denny Tamaki is the governor of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. Although important as an international tourist destination and a key element in strategic US Military Forces, its governor receives very little coverage in the Japanese press and almost none in the English language media. 


This blog hopes to  translate one news article a day on the governor.  It is unsponsored and unauthorized. The translator simply hopes to improve his skills and perhaps give the governor an English speaking audience. 


Any suggestion on improving the translation will be gratefully accepted. However, please leave political comments for another forum.


Where they occur, words and phrases in Ryukyuan (the Okinawan language) are rendered in italics and translated in parentheses. Names  whose readings are uncertain are rendered as Name (=Kanji?) as in Nagayuki (=長行?). Any corrections in such instances would be gratefully appreciated.

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