Conflicts between the Airport Construction Project and Nature Conservation on Brother Island in the Ogasawara Islands - March 1996

Conflicts between the Airport Construction Project and Nature Conservation on Brother Island in the Ogasawara Islands - March 1996

The Environment Agency (now the Ministry of the Environment) is strongly opposed to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's plan to build an airport on Brother Island in the Ogasawara Islands, Tokyo. The elder brother island is a natural treasure trove of rare plants and animals, and its environmental value is attracting international attention. At the same time, the Ogasawara Islands are in a situation where the expansion of the tourism industry is a pillar of the local economy, and there is a need to improve transportation convenience.

The Environment Agency is concerned about the impact on the ecosystem, and has pointed out that the construction of an airport on the elder brother island could have a tremendous impact on the biodiversity of the entire island. In particular, there is a high risk that habitats of endemic and endangered species will be destroyed. In response, environmental groups such as WWF Japan have issued a statement calling for the cancellation of the plan, and the project has received support from international conservation groups.

According to the 1996 edition of the White Paper on the Environment, the Ogasawara Islands are considered a globally important ecosystem area, and the need for conservation measures based on international treaties is emphasized. Furthermore, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's urban planning documents explain the significance of the plan on the grounds that the construction of the airport will contribute to the promotion of tourism and the development of the local economy, but no progress has been made in discussions with the Environment Agency.

Meanwhile, the Ogasawara village government has been collecting residents' opinions on the construction of the airport, and both sides of the debate are taking place. Some residents expect economic benefits from increased tourism, while others are concerned about the destruction of nature. Striking a balance between environmental protection and local development is the biggest challenge for this plan.

Sources
- White Paper on the Environment (1996 edition), Environment Agency
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Urban Planning Document
- WWF Japan statement and survey report
- Ogasawara Village Municipality meeting records
- Asahi Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun feature articles (1996)