UN rapporteur visits Okinawa to inspect US base surroundings for PFAS. (19no24)
Splendor of Okinawa: Marigold, roadside Futenma, 25oc24 High concentrations of reputedly cancer-causing PFAS chemicals have been discovered around US Military bases in Okinawa Prefecture. So, Okinawa Prefecture invited UN Rapporteur Marcos Orellana, a specialist in environmental issues, to inspect the problem within the prefecture. He arrived on 18 November and held a discussion with Governor Denny Tamaki. During 3 days, Mr. Orellana will investigate rivers, creeks, and springs neighboring US Military bases. The Prefecture, suspecting that the source of the PFAS pollution is within the US Military bases, had requested an onsite inspection. However, the US side showed a negative attitude, since its management of the bases has been determined by the US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The special rapporteur has been given authority by the UN Commission on Human Rights to investigate human rights issues everywhere. So, the Prefecture decided to bring its PFAS problem t...