Thread by @tkatsumi06j

#MauritiusOilDisaster 🇲🇺🇯🇵9/4 Japan’s @asahi & @kyodo_english reports the #MauritiusReefs remain ‘healthy’ despite the widespread #Wakashio oil spill. However, their reports contradict one another 💯 % in one critical aspect; the effects on the mangroves.Thread⤵️

https://twitter.com/asahi_kokusai/status/1301991798722760705

Asahi reported this: "Eleven mangrove forests in the southeastern part of the island have been found to be CONTAMINATED by drifted oil. OIL-COATED SEAWEED REMAINS at the base of the mangroves." (via DeepL translation+edit. Emphasis added) digital.asahi.com/articles/ASN94…

Kyodo reported this: "NO ENTRY OF OIL has been confirmed in mangroves, and NO OIL COATING on their roots has been observed either (in the wetlands)," said Noriaki Sakaguchi, a deputy team leader and an ecosystem conservation expert" at JICA.
mainichi.jp/english/articl…

Personally, up until now, I was more trusting of Kyodo's reporting because of the commitment shown by the regional correspondent. However, what Asahi reported more accurately describes what has been observed by other ecological observers. But why the 100% discrepancy now?

As this individual cynically & justifiably points out, Japan's government-sponsored ecological impact study has not had a good track record, even within Japan. They have falsified reports based on unscientific assessment. We definitely need second opinion.

https://twitter.com/JonReinsch/status/1301897539164094465?s=20

For reference, this is a statement issued by Center for Biological Diversity @CenterForBioDiv on January 8, 2019 regarding the threat to rare Okinawa dugongs. The underlying environmental impact assessment was conducted by GoJ which back's US position.
biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_rel…

I am ashamed to say this as a Japanese national, but ANY environmental assessment coming out of the Japanese government is NOT to be trusted, and MUST be highly scrutinized. Second opinion from a third-party nation's perspective and selected international experts is a MUST.

Some political backgrounder notes on the #Okinawa #Henoko matter: Special Note: #OkinawaReferendum - Struggle of a disenfranchised young Okinawan fighting for democracy｜@tkatsumi06j #note note.com/tkatsumi06j/n/…

More political background: A brilliant report by American journalist @TimothyS

The United States Is Building a New Military Base in Okinawa, Despite Overwhelming Local Opposition via @thenation thenation.com/article/archiv…

This is what happens when Japan has vested interest.

I'd hate to see #Mauritius to become another #Okinawa under the current government (and possibly the incoming) so I will continue to fight for truth. Even though the U.S. is not involved in this, GoJ wants to keep the impact of #MauritiusOilSpill at minimum to the #MitsuiOSK.

(Official Kyodo report) No oil damage confirmed at Ramsar sites in Mauritius: experts english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/09/0… @kyodo_english