Construction plans for a resort hotel in Shiraho village, Japan
- Concerns of its threat to endangered sea turtles, the oldest colony of blue corals in the northern hemisphere, the peaceful lifestyle of the villagers -
Plans for the construction of a four-story hotel expecting 100,000 visitors a year are underway in Shiraho, a small village of approx. 1,600 residents on Ishigaki Island, Japan.
The developers first presented their plans to the Shiraho Community Council, the administrative organization of the community, in June 2016. At the time, they claimed that they would gain the understanding of local residents before proceeding with their plan. City regulations also require such developments to gain the approval of the Community Council. However, the developers have since submitted their application to the City government without the consent of the Community Council. As of November 2017, their development plan has been reviewed by the Ishigaki City government and is currently awaiting approval by Okinawa prefecture.
The construction site has no public sewage system. According to the development plan, wastewater would be treated through a septic system, but would release contaminated water into the soil. The site faces the home of the largest colony of blue corals in the northern hemisphere, and the expected environmental impact is reason for concern not only to us in the local community, but to scientists as well. Sea turtles coming ashore to lay eggs, and seaweeds essential to local cuisine (e.g. aasa), are also at risk. Of further concern is the anticipated loss of the essence of Shiraho - what makes the region and the community what it is - with the dramatic influx of tourists.
Five reasons why this resort should not be built in Shiraho
1. The largest colony of blue corals in the northern hemisphere is at stake!
The construction site lies directly before an ocean rich in marine wildlife, not to mention the world-famous coral reef. Construction plans outline a wastewater treatment system through which wastewater would be treated through a septic system, and then discharged into the ground.
However the discharge would not even be at 1/100 of the water quality that healthy corals are known to survive in!
2. Nesting grounds of endangered sea turtles!
Each year, endangered sea turtles have been laying their eggs on the shores of Shiraho. Sea turtles are known to be extremely sensitive creatures and only nest in areas that are not affected by artificial lighting. Even the lighted screen of a smart phone can discourage a female sea turtle from coming ashore.
Will the female sea turtles come back to the shores of Shiraho in the years after the hotel is built?
3. Excessive tourism
Shiraho is a traditional community that has retained its historic townscape and rustic lifestyle. Over years, we have maintained a careful balance between tourism and our daily livelihoods. What will happen with the dramatic influx of tourists? Corals being broken, increased marine accidents and trash on the shores are easily imaginable.But above all we fear the loss of the essence of Shiraho.
We are concerned that excessive tourism will irreversibly tip the deliberate balance between tourism and our livelihoods that has been so carefully maintained.
4. Can they really take responsibility? What happens if they resell the resort?
Even if the developers were to hold deep discussions with the residents and were to reach an agreement, what would happen if the hotel were resold a few years later? Hotels on the island have seen frequent changes in management in recent years. Change in management inevitably signifies policy changes and may likely result in a different target market as well.
We cannot risk a resale of the hotel and having any agreements nullified. The developers can move on, but we remain here with this land and this ocean and this community.
5. Our 57 cultural heritages
The history of this village dates back some 400 years. This history, as well as the culture and natural environment of the village have been protected by the community as the 57 ‘Shiraho Community Council-Designated Cultural Heritages’. The construction site is also a part of these assets that have been protected and inherited across generations.
The ocean, fields, farmlands, hills, rivers; all of these are treasures of the village. We want to protect this rich nature and culture of the village for generations to come.
What you can do
Application for the development is currently under review by Okinawa prefecture.
The many flaws in the developer’s environmental preservation measures, despite initial claims that they would promote environmental conservation, confirm our concerns and we stand firm in our stance against this development.
We will be sending a petition to the governor of Okinawa to deny permission for development, and for the developers to repeal their development application and cancel their construction plans.
Please support us in our appeal by signing the online petition from the following link. The deadline is November 30th, 2017.
Who we are
- Liaison Council for the Shiraho Resort Hotel Issue -
Ishigaki Island has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, with over 1.3 million visitors a year - more than 26 times the population of the island. The island has also been introduced in numerous magazines and television programs and has a growing number of fans.
As more visitors are attracted to the island, the shortage of accommodations has become a commonly discussed topic. However the resulting construction of numerous hotels around the island makes us uneasy. Won't these developments affect the rich nature of the island? And isn't the nature of the island what so many visitors are attracted by?
What we want is to protect the treasures of the island that has been passed on over generations not only for tourists, but for the children of the island, who are our future.
The Liaison Council for the Shiraho Resort Hotel Issue was established in July 2017 with the aim of taking the issues of the hotel into consideration. The Council is composed of the below four organizations that had taken part in the exchange of opinions with the developers per request from the Shiraho Communicy Council when the plans were first introduced.
〇Shiraho Conservation Council for Bountiful Sea
Established in 2005 with the aim of revitalizing the region through the protection and sustainable use of the coral reef.
Members: individuals and organizations involved in fishery and tourist activities within the Shiraho coral reef, individuals and organizations involved in conservation efforts.
〇Shiraho Haarii Association
The organization that hosts the Shiraho Haarii-sai, a festival praying for safety and abundant catch at sea, Also involved in environmental conservation efforts on the shores of Shiraho.
Members: individuals and organizations involved in fishery and tourist activities within the Shiraho coral reef, individuals who concur with the aims of the association.
A nonprofit organization (NPO) established in 2013 according to the seven articles of the Shiraho Village Yuratiku Charter to help protect the traditions, culture, and natural environment of Shiraho for future generations and to support the community to develop and prosper.
Members: 14
〇Shiraho Sunday Market Association
Established in 2005 to encourage the inheritance of knowledge on making use of nature’s blessings and the sale of regional specialties. Hosts the Shiraho Sunday Market every week. Now a part of NPO Natsupana.